UN, Saudi Arabia sign deal to create counter-terrorism center

The United Nations has signed with the Government of Saudi Arabia an agreement to create a UN Centre for Counter-Terrorism (UNCCT), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced. He told a high-level Counter-Terrorism Forum, late on Monday, that Saudi Arabia will contribute USD 10 million over the next three years to set up the centre, which will be based in New York. It will support the implementation of the strategy, as well as foster international cooperation, strengthen individual countries' capacity-building efforts and build up a database of best practices to counter terrorism. "The Centre will go a long way in countering terrorism around the world," Ban said at a signing ceremony earlier in the day with Prince Saud Al-Faisal Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister. He urged Member States to act collectively in order to combat terrorism. He highlighted the resolve shown by countries five years ago in adopting the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy which recognizes that terrorism cannot be combated only through security-related or law enforcement means. "Effective counter-terrorism requires a combination of social, educational, economic and political tools that target those factors that make the terrorist option appear attractive," he said. General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser of Qatar also told the forum that today's event comes at an "opportune time, serving as a reminder that terrorism can only be defeated when nations work together and act on the collective commitment to implement the Global Strategy." "We must take joint initiatives, share information, participate in collective threat assessments and provide much-needed assistance wherever required, to enable our nations to stand strong and united," he said.