Counter-Terrorism: European Union and United Nations hold Sixth Dialogue to steer strategic partnership on counter-terrorism

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) held their Sixth Dialogue on Counter-Terrorism in Brussels on 3 December 2024.

This annual exchange, central to the strategic partnership, offers an opportunity to take stock of joint efforts against the global threat of terrorism, and discuss future strategic priorities. This year’s Dialogue reaffirmed the urgent need for continued multilateral cooperation to address the evolving threat of terrorism.

The EU and the UN discussed current terrorism challenges in Europe, Africa, Central and South Asia and the Middle East. They updated on strategic policy developments and ongoing activities while exploring avenues for further cooperation, including within the framework of the UN Pact for the Future adopted at the Summit of the Future in New York in September 2024.

Building on the outcome of preceding EU-UN staff talks held in November, participants also addressed thematic areas of common concern such as the misuse of new technologies by terrorist groups; the use of strategic communications to counter extremist narratives; and pathways for the prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and their families.

Additionally, UN representatives shared updates on the implementation of the 8th Review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS), including through the UNOCT-led Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, launched in February 2018 and now counts 46 entities and observers.

In concluding the Dialogue, the EU and the UN reiterated their commitment to continued close cooperation based on the thematic joint priorities that were discussed, including through regular programmatic and policy exchanges. They also acknowledged the importance of the Abuja Process on countering terrorism in Africa, and the results-based framework for monitoring and evaluating UN counter-terrorism efforts.

The Dialogue meeting, including opening remarks from the Under-Secretary-General for Counter- Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, was co-chaired by Maciej Stadejek, Deputy Managing Director for Security and Defence Policy of the European External Action Service (EEAS), and by Mauro Miedico, Director, United Nations Counter Terrorism Centre of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).

The Dialogue, hosted by the European External Action Service, was also attended by the EU Counterterrorism Coordinator, the European Commission’s Counterterrorism Coordinator and representatives from the European Commission, as well as the Council of the European Union. Other representatives of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact included the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), as well as the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team.