Published on: 2026-06-29
Source: United Nations – Объединенные Нации –
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June 29, 2026 Peace and Security
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on countries to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, while simultaneously addressing the causes that allow terrorist groups to recruit and radicalize people.
Speaking at the Fourth High-Level Conference with heads of counterterrorism agencies of UN member states, the Secretary-General noted that the world is experiencing numerous crises. Conflicts cause shocks in energy markets, inflation, and hunger, millions of people are forced to leave their homes, and economic difficulties are increasing.
“These conditions – need, instability, and distrust – create the perfect environment for the spread of terrorism,” warned Guterres.
Twenty years of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
According to him, from Africa to South Asia and the Middle East, branches of Al-Qaeda and Daesh (ISIS) continue to operate, and terrorist groups are increasingly using new technologies to finance operations, recruit people, and plan attacks.
“Ideologies of violent extremism – including those based on xenophobia, racism, and other forms of intolerance or preached in the name of religion or beliefs – represent a deadly threat within many countries,” added the UN chief.
Guterres reminded that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy – a common framework document defining international efforts in this area.
Prevention and cooperation
He identified four priorities for further work. The Secretary-General named counter-terrorism as the first direction. According to him, it is necessary to eliminate the conditions that allow extremist groups to take root in societies: poverty, discrimination, and human rights violations.
“These injustices do not justify terrorism. Nothing can justify it. But they create vulnerabilities that terrorist groups quickly exploit,” he emphasized.
The UN chief stated that sustainable development, human rights protection, economic empowerment, the participation of women and youth, support for local peacekeeping efforts, and the protection of civic space are integral parts of the fight against terrorism.
“A more equal world is a safer world. That is the power of prevention,” Guterres said.
He named international cooperation as the second priority, emphasizing that terrorism is a transnational threat and no country can deal with it alone.
Technologies: threat and tool of protection
The third direction, according to the Secretary-General, should be technology. He warned that terrorists are increasingly using artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and unmanned systems.
“These tools have significantly enhanced their ability to recruit people, finance, and plan attacks,” he said.
At the same time, Guterres noted, technologies can help detect threats at an early stage, cut off illegal financial flows, and better understand pathways to radicalization.
The fight against terrorism must not undermine human rights
The main condition for an effective response, the Secretary General said, is fidelity to the values that terrorism seeks to destroy: justice, human dignity, and solidarity.
He warned that excessively harsh or disproportionate counterterrorism measures could exacerbate social divisions and undermine trust in institutions.
“In the worst case, measures allegedly aimed at combating terrorism can themselves create conditions that contribute to radicalization and violence,” Guterres said.
The Secretary-General emphasized that all counter-terrorism efforts must be firmly grounded in the rule of law and human rights, and also take into account the experiences of individuals and communities affected by terrorism.
“Through prevention, cooperation, and unwavering commitment to human rights, we can build a safer world where people everywhere live free from fear,” the UN chief concluded.
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