UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Friday encouraged Member States to adopt national and regional plans of action to prevent violent extremism.
Ban made the call while reacting to the adoption of a resolution on the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy by the General Assembly in New York.
He urged states to implement the four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in a balanced and comprehensive manner.
The UN Chief said that the pillars were to implement measures to address conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism such as preventing and resolving conflicts and encouraging economic development.
Others, he said, were to reduce social exclusion and marginalisation and foster understanding among peoples of varied religions and cultures through dialogue.
He said the strategy also emphasised need to support victims of terrorism and their families, and in supporting and engaging with civil society groups, particularly women and youths.
The adoption by consensus of the resolution, he said, symbolised the international community’s strong resolve to act in unison and without delay to address terrorism and violent extremism.
“Terrorism and violent extremism pose a major threat to international peace and security, as well as to sustainable development, human rights and humanitarian action at the global, regional and national levels.
“Taking united action against terrorism and preventing violent extremism in conformity with the UN Chartesr and international human rights law is crucial to securing peace and prosperity for succeeding generations”, he said.
The secretary-general also said he was pleased that the General Assembly had welcomed his initiative to present a Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism.
He reiterated that the UN system stands ready to provide strong and well-coordinated support to Member States in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the consensus General Assembly resolution.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the 193 assembly adopted a resolution on the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, with the aim of security peace and prosperity for succeeding generations.
The 15-page resolution, adopted by consensus, “calls upon Member States, the United Nations and other appropriate international, regional and sub-regional organisations to step up their efforts” to implement, in an integrated and balanced manner the strategy.
The strategy was first adopted by the assembly in 2006 to enhance national, regional and international efforts to counter terrorism.
Members reiterated their strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes.
NAN also reports that the assembly reviews the strategy every two years.