New York, May 22, 2024 — The Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), Major General Pilot Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, met today at the United Nations headquarters in New York with UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism and Executive Director of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Vladimir Voronkov. The meeting, reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), focused on enhancing cooperation between IMCTC and UNOCT in the fight against terrorism in all its forms.
Context and Background
The IMCTC, established in 2015 and headquartered in Riyadh, is a Saudi-led coalition of 41 member states dedicated to countering terrorism militarily, ideologically, and financially. The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established in 2017 to provide leadership and support to UN member states in implementing the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. This high-level meeting underscores the growing synergy between regional and international efforts to address the global threat of terrorism, a priority for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030.
Key Details
During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways of cooperation and coordination between IMCTC and UNOCT. Voronkov was briefed on the coalition’s initiatives in intellectual and media fields, combating the financing of terrorism, and the role of IMCTC in coordinating and intensifying international efforts for member states. Voronkov welcomed Al-Moghedi and noted that cooperation among international organizations helps face terrorist challenges. He praised the efforts of the coalition in serving allied countries and stressed the pioneering role of Saudi Arabia, the host country of the IMCTC headquarters, in supporting the coalition since its establishment.
International Impact
Al-Moghedi voiced appreciation for UNOCT’s efforts in supporting, assisting, and training member states in counter-terrorism fields and building institutional capacities. He stressed the importance of coordinating international efforts, implementing UN Security Council resolutions, and raising awareness about terrorism’s threats. Al-Moghedi reiterated that combating terrorism requires international efforts and intensified cooperation within an integrative partnership framework. This visit is part of IMCTC’s keenness to establish strategic partnerships among international organizations, enhancing cooperation to maintain international security and peace.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The meeting reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international security and stability, a key pillar of Vision 2030. By strengthening ties with the UN and supporting IMCTC’s work, the Kingdom continues to play a leading role in global counter-terrorism efforts, contributing to a safer world and advancing its reform agenda.
20 Questions
Q1. What is the IMCTC?
A1. The Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition is a Saudi-led coalition of 41 countries established in 2015 to coordinate efforts against terrorism in military, intellectual, and financial domains.
Q2. Who represented IMCTC in this meeting?
A2. The Secretary-General of IMCTC, Major General Pilot Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, represented the coalition.
Q3. Who is the UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism?
A3. Vladimir Voronkov serves as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism and Executive Director of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).
Q4. Where did the meeting take place?
A4. The meeting was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Q5. What was the main focus of the meeting?
A5. The discussions centered on enhancing cooperation between IMCTC and UNOCT in various counter-terrorism fields.
Q6. What areas of cooperation were discussed?
A6. The two sides discussed initiatives in intellectual and media fields, combating terrorism financing, and coordinating international efforts.
Q7. How did Voronkov view cooperation among international organizations?
A7. He noted that cooperation among international organizations helps face terrorist challenges.
Q8. What did Voronkov praise about the IMCTC?
A8. He praised the coalition’s efforts in serving allied countries and coordinating international efforts, and stressed Saudi Arabia’s pioneering role.
Q9. What role did Voronkov attribute to Saudi Arabia?
A9. He stressed Saudi Arabia’s pioneering and supportive role in the coalition since its establishment as the host country.
Q10. How did Al-Moghedi acknowledge UNOCT’s efforts?
A10. He voiced appreciation for UNOCT’s support, assistance, and training in building institutional capacities in counter-terrorism fields.
Q11. What did Al-Moghedi emphasize about international efforts?
A11. He stressed that combating terrorism requires international efforts and intensified cooperation based on strategic visions.
Q12. What is the significance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions?
A12. Implementing these resolutions is crucial for coordinated international action against terrorism.
Q13. Why is awareness about terrorism threats important?
A13. Raising awareness helps societies understand terrorism’s dangers and supports preventive measures.
Q14. How many member states does the IMCTC have?
A14. The IMCTC consists of 41 member states, a count maintained since its inception.
Q15. What is UNOCT’s mandate?
A15. UNOCT provides leadership and support to member states in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, according to its founding resolution.
Q16. Why is partnership between IMCTC and UNOCT crucial?
A16. Such partnerships enhance global coordination and effectiveness in countering terrorism, as noted by Voronkov.
Q17. What is the role of the IMCTC in intellectual and media fields?
A17. The coalition implements initiatives to counter extremist narratives and promote moderation.
Q18. How does the meeting align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030?
A18. It supports international security and stability, a goal of Vision 2030, enhancing global partnerships and security.
Q19. What is the expected outcome of such meetings?
A19. They aim to strengthen cooperation and strategic partnerships among international organizations for better counter-terrorism outcomes.
Q20. How can readers stay informed about IMCTC’s activities?
A20. Follow official IMCTC communications and updates from the Saudi Press Agency for reliable information.
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