Security Council resolution 2617 (2021) [on extension of the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) as special political mission under the policy guidance of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) until 31 Dec. 2025]
Symbol: S/RES/2617 (2021)
Date: 2021-12-30
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/76 [31] TERRORISM
S/ X Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
Subjects: UN. Security Council Committee Established pursuant to Resolution 1373 (2001) concerning Counter-Terrorism|UN. Security Council Committee Established pursuant to Resolution 1373 (2001) concerning Counter-Terrorism. Executive Directorate|UN. Office of Counter-Terrorism|COUNTER-TERRORISM|TERRORISM|TECHNICAL COOPERATION|COORDINATION WITHIN UN SYSTEM
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: ESTONIA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: INDIA
vote: yes
country: IRELAND
vote: yes
country: KENYA
vote: yes
country: MEXICO
vote: yes
country: NIGER
vote: yes
country: NORWAY
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
vote: yes
country: TUNISIA
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: VIET NAM
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                    S/RES/2617 (2021)
               Security Council                                                  Distr.: General
                                                                                 30 December 2021




               Resolution 2617 (2021)
               Adopted by the Security Council on 30 December 2021

                    The Security Council,
                     Recalling, in particular, resolution 1535 (2004), resolution 1787 (2007),
               resolution 1805 (2008), resolution 1963 (2010), resolution 2129 (2013), and
               resolution 2395 (2017), which pertain to the Counterterrorism Committee Executive
               Directorate (CTED), and reaffirming the crucial role of its Counterterrorism
               Committee (CTC) and CTED in ensuring the full implementation of resolution 1373
               (2001), and reaffirming its resolutions 1267 (1999), 1325 (2000), 1368 (2001), 1566
               (2004), 1624 (2005), 1894 (2009), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013), 2133 (2014), 2150
               (2014), 2170 (2014), 2178 (2014), 2185 (2014), 2195 (2015), 2199 (2015), 2220
               (2015), 2242 (2015), 2249 (2015), 2253 (2015), 2309 (2016), 2322 (2016), 2331
               (2016), 2341 (2017), 2347 (2017), 2354 (2017), 2368 (2017), 2370 (2017), 2379
               (2017), 2388 (2017), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019), 2482 (2019) and its relevant
               presidential statements,
                     Reaffirming that terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the
               most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism
               are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever and by
               whomsoever committed, and remaining determined to contribute further to enhancing
               the effectiveness of the overall effort to fight this scourge on a global level,
                     Recognizing that terrorism poses a threat to international peace and security and
               that countering this threat requires collective efforts on nati onal, regional and
               international levels on the basis of respect for international law and the Charter of the
               United Nations,
                    Recognizing that terrorism will not be defeated by military force, law
               enforcement measures, and intelligence operations alone, a nd underlining the need to
               address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, as outlined in Pillars I
               and IV of the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy ( A/RES/60/288)
               including, but not limited to, the need to strengthen efforts for the successful
               prevention and peaceful resolution of prolonged conflict, and the need to promote the
               rule of law, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, good
               governance, tolerance, and inclusiveness to offer a viable alternative to those who
               could be susceptible to terrorist recruitment and to radicalization leading to violence,
                    Recognizing a comprehensive approach to defeating terrorism requires national,
               regional, subregional and multilateral action, and reaffirming the importance of




21-19887 (E)
*2119887*

S/RES/2617 (2021)

               addressing through a holistic approach the underlying conditions conducive to the
               spread of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism,
                     Reaffirming that the promotion and protection of human rights for all and the
               rule of law are essential components of counterterrorism, and recognizing that
               effective counterterrorism measures and the protection of human rights are not
               conflicting goals, but complementary and mutually reinforcing, and stressing the need
               to promote and protect the rights of victims of terrorism,
                     Reaffirming that Member States must ensure that any measures taken to combat
               terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular
               international human rights law, international refugee law, and international
               humanitarian law, and underscoring that effective counterterrorism measures and
               respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law are
               complementary and mutually reinforcing, and are an essential part of a successful
               counterterrorism effort, and noting the importance of respect for the rule of law so as
               to effectively prevent and combat terrorism,
                    Condemning in the strongest terms terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,
               and all terrorist acts, including those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other
               forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief, reaffirming that terrorism
               should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or group,
                     Stressing that Member States have the primary responsibility in countering
               terrorist acts and violent extremism conducive to terrorism,
                    Reaffirming its commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity and political
               independence of all States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,
                    Reaffirming its call upon all States to become party to the international
               counterterrorism conventions and protocols as soon as possible, and to fully
               implement their obligations under those to which they are a party,
                     Underscoring the central role of the United Nations in the global fight against
               terrorism and welcoming the seventh review of the United Nations Global
               Counterterrorism Strategy (GCTS) (document A/RES/75/291) of 2 July 2021, which
               affirmed the importance of integrated and balanced implementation of all four pillars
               of the GCTS, and expressing support for the activities of the United Nations Office
               of Counterterrorism (UNOCT), in accordance with General Assembly resolution
               71/291 of 15 June 2017, and its central role in promoting the balanced implementation
               of the GCTS,
                     Underscoring the importance of strong coordination and cooperation between
               CTED and UNOCT, as they work within their mandates and in th eir distinct roles to
               ensure effective United Nations engagement with Member States to improve the
               implementation of the GCTS in a balanced manner as well as other counterterrorism
               resolutions, and to ensure effective United Nations engagement with other r elevant
               international, regional, and sub-regional organizations, and key partners such as the
               Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and others whose efforts are critical to
               preventing and countering terrorism, including relevant civil society, academia, thi nk
               tanks, and the private sector, and noting the importance of engaging, as appropriate,
               with women-, youth-, and locally-focused entities,
                      Expressing grave concern that foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) who have joined
               entities such as ISIL, also known as Da’esh, Al Qaida, the Al-Nusrah Front, and other
               cells, affiliates, splinter groups or derivatives of ISIL or Al-Qaida, may be seeking to
               return to their countries of origin or nationality, or to relocate to third countries,
               recalling that all States shall in accordance with their relevant international
               obligations, including international human rights law, take specific actions to address


2/13                                                                                                      21-19887

                                                                                                  S/RES/2617 (2021)

           the threat posed by FTFs, underscoring the urgent need to implement fully and
           immediately resolutions 2178 (2014) and 2396 (2017), including their provisions on
           developing comprehensive and tailored prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration
           strategies, and stressing the importance of assisting women and children associated
           with FTFs, who may be victims of terrorism,
                Welcoming developments and initiatives at the international, regional, and
           subregional levels to prevent and suppress international terrorism, including the
           CTC’s 2015 Madrid Guiding Principles and its 2018 Addendum including special
           safeguards and legal protections to protect children,
                 Reiterating further the obligation of Member States to prevent the movement of
           terrorists or terrorist groups by, inter alia, effective border controls, and, in this
           context, urging Member States to exchange information expeditiously, improve
           cooperation among competent authorities to prevent the movement of terrorists and
           terrorist groups to and from their territories, the supply of weapons for terrorists and
           financing that would support terrorists and terrorist groups, and underlining that safe
           havens provided to terrorists continue to be a significant concern and that all Member
           States must cooperate fully in the fight against terrorism in order to find, deny safe
           haven to, and bring to justice, extradite or prosecute, in accordance with applicable
           international law, any person who supports, facilitates, participates or attempts to
           participate in the financing, planning, preparation or commission of terrorist acts or
           provides safe havens,
                 Recognizing the need to improve the collection, handling, preservation and
           sharing of information and materials collected or received by the military, also
           referred to as battlefield evidence, consistent with international law, to ensure that
           FTFs who have committed crimes may be investigated and, where appropriate,
           prosecuted, emphasizing that the collection and preservation of evidence, as provided
           for in respective domestic legal frameworks, are essential to the prosecution,
           adjudication and sentencing of terrorist crimes, further emphasizing the value of
           “battlefield evidence” as an essential tool for prosecutions and for determining the
           appropriate punishment for terrorist crimes, when properly obtained and used, as part
           of the effort to hold terrorists accountable for their crimes, further emphasizing the
           need to educate and train relevant practitioners on the procedures applicable to
           collection, preservation, and use of “battlefield evidence,” noting the importance of
           clear legal authorities, regulations and practices for the collection, sharing, and use
           of this type of evidence in national courts, in full respect of fair trial guarantees of
           the accused, and in line with international human rights law, as applicable, and further
           noting the CTED Guidelines to facilitate the use and admissibility as evidence in
           national criminal courts of information collected, handled, preserved and shared by
           the military to prosecute terrorist offences,
                 Noting with concern the increasing global misuse of unmanned aerial systems
           (UAS) by terrorists to conduct attacks against, and incursion s into, restricted
           commercial and government infrastructure and public places, acknowledging the need
           to balance fostering innovation and preventing misuse of UAS as its applications
           expand, noting international efforts that contribute to raising awareness of and
           preparedness for terrorist use of UAS as the technology becomes more accessible and
           broadly used across public and private sectors including the CTED -UNOCT-INTERPOL publication The protection of critical infrastructures against terrorist
           attacks: Compendium of good practices, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF)
           and its Berlin Memorandum on Good Practices for Countering Terrorist Use of UAS ,
                 Stressing that the development and maintenance of fair and effective criminal
           justice systems, with full respect for and commitment to human rights and
           fundamental freedoms within a rule of law framework, must be central to any

21-19887                                                                                                       3/13

S/RES/2617 (2021)

               successful strategy to prevent and counter terrorism, noting the importance of
               Member State perspectives, and, noting the important role, leadership in capacity
               building, upon the request of Member States, and expertise of the United Nations
               Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Interregional Crime and
               Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in coordination with other rele vant United
               Nations agencies and relevant stakeholders, and encouraging CTED to cooperate
               closely with these entities,
                     Expressing concern that terrorist groups are actively seeking ways to defeat or
               circumvent aviation security, and affirming the role of the International Civil Aviation
               Organization (ICAO) as the United Nations organization responsible for developing
               international aviation security standards, monitoring their implementation by States
               and its role in assisting states in complying with these standards, and welcoming the
               approval by ICAO of the Global Aviation Security Plan as the global framework for
               progressive aviation security enhancement, and encouraging CTED to cooperate
               closely with ICAO,
                     Recognizing the challenges faced by Member States in the management of
               suspected and convicted terrorists in custody, encouraging Member States to
               collaborate and share best practices regarding well-managed custodial environments
               where human rights are respected and efforts to rehabilitate and reinte grate convicted
               terrorists are made, and noting the work in this regard of UNODC, UNICRI, and other
               relevant stakeholders,
                     Expressing concern regarding the connection, in some cases, between terrorism
               and transnational organized crime, including illicit trafficking in drugs, arms, and
               persons, as well as money-laundering, and the trafficking in cultural property, and
               emphasizing the need to enhance coordination of efforts at the local, national,
               subregional, regional, and international levels to respond t o this serious challenge, in
               accordance with international law, and in the context of criminal justice and law
               enforcement systems with full respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, and
               the rule of law,
                     Stressing the need to effectively counter the ways that ISIL, Al-Qaida, and
               associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities use their narratives to incite
               and recruit others to commit terrorist acts, and further recalling in this regard
               resolution 2354 (2017) and the “Comprehensive International Framework to Counter
               Terrorist Narratives” (S/2017/375) with recommended guidelines and good practices,
                      Reiterating the obligation of Member States to prevent and suppress the
               financing of terrorist acts, and criminalize the willful provision or collection, by any
               means, directly or indirectly, of funds by their nationals or in their territories with the
               intention that the funds should be used, or in the knowledge that they are to be used,
               in order to carry out terrorist acts, and reaffirming also the obligation of Member
               States to freeze without delay funds and other financial assets or economic resources
               of persons or entities who commit, or attempt to commit terrorist acts or participate
               in or facilitate the commission of terrorist acts, and reaffirming further the obligation
               of Member States to prohibit their nationals or any persons and entities within their
               territories from making any funds, financial assets or economic resources or financial
               or other related services available, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of terrorist
               organizations or individual terrorists for any purpose, including but not limited to
               recruitment, training, or travel, even in the absence of a link to a specific terrorist act,
               of entities owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such persons and of persons
               and entities acting on behalf of or at the direction of such persons,
                    Recognizing that innovations in financial technologies, products and services
               may offer significant economic opportunities but also present a risk of being misused,
               including for terrorist financing,

4/13                                                                                                          21-19887

                                                                                                   S/RES/2617 (2021)

                 Acknowledging the important work on countering the financing of terrorism of
           United Nations entities and other multilateral bodies and forums, reiterating the
           essential role of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in setting global standards
           for preventing and combatting money laundering, terrorist financing, and
           proliferation financing and its Global Network of FATF-style regional bodies, and
           encouraging CTED to deepen its cooperation with these entities,
                 Recalling its decision that States shall eliminate the supply of weapons,
           including small arms and light weapons, to terrorists, as well as its calls for States to
           find ways of intensifying and accelerating the exchange of operational information
           regarding traffic in arms, and to enhance coordination of efforts on national,
           subregional, regional and international levels, and, in this regard, urging States to
           fully implement measures contained in resolution 2370 (2017),
                 Recognizing the need for Member States to prevent, using a risk-based
           approach, the abuse of non-governmental, non-profit and charitable organizations by
           and for terrorists, and calling upon non-governmental, non-profit, and charitable
           organizations to prevent and oppose, as appropriate, attempts by terrorists to abuse
           their status through risk mitigation measures, while recalling the importance of fully
           respecting the rights to freedom of expression and association of individuals in civil
           society and freedom of religion or belief, and once again noting the relevant
           recommendation and guidance documents of the FATF, and reiterating that States
           should identify and take, consistent with international law, effective and proportionate
           actions against non-profit organizations that either are exploited by, or knowingly
           support, terrorists or terrorist organizations, taking into account the specifics of the
           case,
                 Condemning the destruction of cultural heritage by terrorist groups, whether
           such destruction is incidental or deliberate, and reemphasizing that the unlawful
           destruction of cultural heritage, and the looting and smuggling of cultural property by
           terrorist groups, and the attempt to deny historical roots and cultural diversity in this
           context can fuel and exacerbate conflict and hamper post-conflict national
           reconciliation, thereby undermining the security, stability, governance, social,
           economic and cultural development of affected States,
                 Noting the work of the GCTF, in support of the balanced implementation of the
           GCTS, in particular its publication of several framework documents and good
           practices, including in the areas of preventing and countering violent extremism as
           conducive to terrorism, border security, watchlisting, maritime security, protection of
           soft targets, individuals radicalized to violence or directed by foreign terrorists
           fighters (FTFs), victims, criminal justice and the rule of law, returning and relocating
           FTFs and their associated family members who traveled with them, homegrown
           terrorists, capacity building in Africa, prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration,
           and kidnapping for ransom, complementing the work of relevant United Nations
           counterterrorism entities in these areas, and encouraging CTED to continue its
           interaction with the GCTF to promote the full implementation of resolutions 1373
           (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017) and other relevant counterterrorism
           resolutions,
                 Recognizing the importance of civil society, including community-based civil
           society, grassroots organizations, the private sector, academia, think tanks, media,
           youth, women, and cultural, educational, and religious leaders in increasing
           awareness about the threats of terrorism and more effectively tackling them,
                 Emphasizing the need for Member States to act cooperatively to prevent and
           counter the use of information and communication technologies, including the
           Internet, for terrorist purposes such as recruitment and incitement to commit terrorist
           acts, as well as the financing, planning and preparation of their activities, in

21-19887                                                                                                        5/13

S/RES/2617 (2021)

               partnership with the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders, as
               appropriate, while respecting human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law,
               and encouraging CTED to deepen its engagement and cooperation with the relevant
               private sector entities,
                    Noting the Christchurch Call to Action and the Group of 20 Osaka Leaders’
               Statement on Preventing Exploitation of the Internet for Terrorism and Violent
               Extremism Conducive to Terrorism,
                     Stressing the need for Member States to act cooperatively to prevent terrorists
               from exploiting information and communication technologies, as well as the need for
               Member States to continue voluntary cooperation with the private sector and civil
               society to develop and implement more effective means to counter the use of the
               Internet for terrorist purposes, including by developing counterterrorist narratives and
               through technological solutions, all while respecting human rights and fundamental
               freedoms and in compliance with domestic and international law, taking note of the
               industry led Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) and calling for the
               GIFCT to continue to increase engagement with governments and technology
               companies globally, and recognizing the efforts of the UN-affiliated Tech Against
               Terrorism initiative to foster collaboration with representatives from the technology
               industry, including smaller technology companies, civil society, academia, and
               government to disrupt terrorists’ ability to use the internet in furtherance of terrorist
               purposes, while also respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms,
                     Urging Member States and the United Nations system to take measures,
               pursuant to international law, to address the conditions conducive to the spread of
               terrorism and violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, and f urther
               emphasizing that countering violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism,
               including preventing radicalization to violence, recruitment, and mobilization of
               individuals into terrorist groups, is an essential element of addressing the threat t o
               international peace and security posed by terrorism, in a balanced manner as set out
               in the GCTS,
                     Reaffirming the need to increase attention to women and youth in all work on
               threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and not ing the
               importance of incorporating the participation of women and youth in developing
               strategies to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism which can be
               conducive to terrorism, and emphasizing the need to continue efforts to ensure the
               full, equal and meaningful participation of women and youth across all
               counterterrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism approaches and
               strategies,
                     Underscoring the importance of a whole-of-government approach and
               recognizes the important role civil society organizations can play, including in the
               health, social welfare and education sectors in contributing to the rehabilitation and
               reintegration of FTFs and their associated family members, as civil society
               organizations may have the relevant knowledge of, access to, and engagement with
               local communities to be able to confront the challenges of recruitment and
               radicalization to violence, and encouraging Member States to engage with civil
               society organizations proactively when developing rehabilitation and reintegration
               strategies,
                    Noting the crucial role of CTED within the United Nations and its expertise in
               assessing counterterrorism issues and in supporting the development and promotion
               of well-informed counterterrorism responses, and urging UNOCT and all other
               relevant UN bodies to take into account CTED recommendations and analysis in the
               implementation of their programs and mandates,


6/13                                                                                                       21-19887

                                                                                                S/RES/2617 (2021)

                Welcoming continuing cooperation on counterterrorism efforts between CTED,
           ICAO, UNODC, all other relevant UN bodies, and INTERPOL, in particular on
           technical assistance and capacity building, and strongly encouraging their further
           engagement with UNOCT to ensure overall coordination and coherence in the
           counterterrorism efforts of the United Nations system,
                 Taking note of the “Technical Guide to the Implementation of Security Council
           resolution 1373 (2001) and Other Relevant Resolutions” updated by CTED,
                1.   Underlines that the overarching objective of the CTC is to ensure full
           implementation of resolution 1373 and recalls CTED’s central role in supporting the
           CTC in the fulfilment of its mandate;
                 2.   Decides that CTED will continue to operate as a special political mission
           under the policy guidance of the CTC for the period ending 31 December 2025 and
           further decides to conduct by 31 December 2023 an interim review;
                3.   Notes the forthcoming “Report of the Counterterrorism Committee to the
           Security Council for its Comprehensive Consideration of the Work of the
           Counterterrorism Committee Executive Directorate for 2017 –2021”;
                  4.    Underscores that neutral, expert assessment of the implementation of
           resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), and other relevant resolutions, is
           the core function of CTED, and that the analysis and recommendations from these
           assessments are an invaluable aid to Member States in identifying and addressing
           gaps in implementation and capacity, and calls on UNOCT, all other relevant United
           Nations funds and programs, Member States, donors, and recipients to use these
           expert assessments as they design technical assistance and capacity building efforts,
           including in furthering the balanced implementation of the GCTS across all four of
           its pillars;
                 5.   Welcomes CTED’s cooperation with the UN Global Counterterrorism
           Compact Entities, other relevant UN bodies, and relevant region al organizations, and
           urges CTED to continue to ensure that it invites representatives from these bodies to
           participate in its assessment work, so that they continue to contribute to the
           development of prioritized recommendations to build Member States’ ca pacity in the
           most pressing areas;
                 6.    Encourages CTED to assess, as appropriate, Member States’ efforts to
           tackle all forms of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, including
           those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the
           name of religion or belief;
                 7.     Calls on CTED to assess Member States’ implementation of the provisions
           in Security Council resolutions 2178 (2014) and 2396 (2017) calling for strengthened
           efforts to address the evolving threat of FTFs and counter terrorist travel, including
           through the collection, use, and sharing of Advance Passenger Information, Passenger
           Name Record data, and biometrics, and the watchlisting of known or suspected
           terrorists, and to provide a report on global implementation of those provisions by
           December 2022, taking note in this regard of good practices and recommendations,
           including the Madrid Guiding Principles on FTFs and the addendum thereto;
                 8.    Encourages CTED to consider, as appropriate, relevant Member States’
           policy and capacity gaps and needs in effectively using evidence collected by the
           military, also referred to as “battlefield evidence,” to fa cilitate as appropriate the
           provision by the UN Global Counterterrorism Coordination Compact Entities,
           including UNODC, of training and assistance to Member States’ criminal justice
           sectors and to help Member States develop and implement comprehensive stra tegies



21-19887                                                                                                     7/13

S/RES/2617 (2021)

               to provide for the proper collection, preservation, sharing, and use of “battlefield
               evidence,” consistent with international law;
                     9.    Encourages CTED to assess as appropriate Member States’ efforts to
               ensure the criminalization and prosecution of terrorism offences in accordance with
               their obligations under international law and to consider promoting national
               sentencing policies, practices or guidelines for the treatment of offenders in which
               the severity of penalties for offenders is proportionate to the gravity of offences in
               accordance with national legislation, while treating those who are being prosecuted
               for or have been convicted of terrorism offences humanely and respecting their human
               rights, in accordance with international law, and to consider measures to reduce
               recidivism, including, where applicable and pursuant to their applicable domestic
               laws, the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners into society;
                     10. Recognizes that CTED’s country visits, comprehensive assessments, and
               related follow-up activity is mutually beneficial for Member States, the CTC,
               UNOCT, and other UN Global Counterterrorism Coordination Compact entities, other
               United Nations entities, and relevant partner organizations as they initiate an ongoing
               dialogue between national actors and counterterrorism experts from across the United
               Nations system and from relevant partner organizations;
                    11. Requests CTED, within six months of the adoption of this resolution and
               in consultation with the CTC, to review and make recommendations on the
               implementation of CTED’s mandate, with reference to the effectiveness, timeliness
               and impact of its country visits, assessments and recommendations on the
               counterterrorism policies and practices of Member States, including options to
               enhance transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity, lessons learned from the impact of
               the COVID-19 pandemic, and to submit them to the CTC for its consideration;
                     12. Directs the CTC, with the support of CTED, to determine on an annual
               basis a list of Member States that CTED should request consent to visit for the purpose
               of conducting assessments, and underscores that the composition of the list should
               take a risk-based approach that acknowledges existing gaps, emerging issues, trends,
               events, and analysis, while also taking into account prior requests by Member States
               and consent previously expressed, as well as the fact that a number of Member States
               have never been visited, and underscores further that the CTC, with the support of
               CTED, may decide, after the adoption of the list, on changes to its composition, as
               necessary, emphasizing transparency in planning for visits, including by making
               available its country visit schedule in advance of such visits, and producing ensuing
               reports;
                     13. Directs CTED, through its visits, assessments, and analytical work on
               emerging issues, trends, and developments to support Member States and United
               Nations entities in taking measures, pursuant to international law, to address
               conditions conducive to terrorism and violent extremism as and when conducive to
               terrorism, in accordance with the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy,
               in coordination with and support of UNOCT;
                     14. Directs CTED to report to the CTC by 30 March 2023 on ways to continue
               strengthening its assessment process, including through considering targeted and
               focused follow-up visits as complements to CTED’s comprehensive assessments,
               using, as appropriate and bearing in mind CTED’s global mandate, a risk -based
               approach in response to evolving threats, shortening, in so far as possible, timelines
               for drafting and review of reports, bearing in mind differences in Member State
               capacity, enhancing fair and consistent application of assessment tools, and at the
               behest of Member States, engaging with experts in civil society, academia, think
               tanks, and the private sector, including in advance of, during and after visits to and
               assessments of Member States, as a complement to primary engagement with Member

8/13                                                                                                     21-19887

                                                                                                 S/RES/2617 (2021)

           State actors to allow them to highlight productive counterterrorism efforts, so that
           assessments are more useful, accessible, and targeted to specific audiences;
                 15. Welcomes the close cooperation between CTED and UNOCT in the
           development and implementation of whole-of-UN initiatives aimed at supporting
           Member States’ efforts to implement relevant Security Council resolutions, directs
           CTED to continue supporting these activities, and urges UNOCT and all other
           relevant UN bodies to take into account the CTC’s recommendations and analysis in
           the implementation of their programs and mandates;
                 16. Requests the CTC Chair to invite senior officials from assessed Member
           States to attend relevant CTC meetings, and requests further the Chair to invite
           assessed Member States to coordinate with CTED and UNOCT on implementation of
           CTED recommendations, and for CTED to report within 12 months after the initial
           assessment report to the CTC on steps taken to implement the recommendations of
           the assessment, bearing in mind differences in capacity and availability of r esources,
           as well as the need for technical assistance in the implementation of some
           recommendations, and directs CTED to make recommendations to the CTC about the
           need for additional follow-up activities, as appropriate, to further implementation of
           assessment recommendations, including, as appropriate, additional technical
           assistance;
                 17. Directs CTED to report to the CTC in a timely manner, on a regular basis
           or when the CTC so requests, through oral and/or written briefings on the work of
           CTED, including its visits to Member States, status of coordination with relevant
           United Nations bodies, engagement with relevant non-United Nations actors, conduct
           of assessments, representation of the CTC at different international and regional
           meetings, and other activities, including during planning stages, and to conduct an
           annual review and forecast of activities to facilitate implementation of resolutions
           1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), and other relevant resolutions,
           and, in this context, requests the CTC, with the support of CTED, to continue to hold
           periodic meetings, including with a regional or thematic focus, for al l Member States,
           and underscores the importance of CTED’s work to the CTC;
                 18. Requests the CTC to report, through its Chair, at least once per year to the
           Council on the state of the overall work of the CTC and CTED, and, as appropriate,
           in conjunction with the reports by the Chairs of the Committee established pursuant
           to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) and the Committee established pursuant
           to resolution 1540 (2004), and taking into account its efforts to strengthen
           coordination with other United Nations bodies, facilitate provision of consent from
           Member States for country visits and reports, improve implementation of
           recommendations, how its assessments and analytical work has contributed towards
           improvements in Member States’ counterterrorism efforts, and expresses its intention
           to hold informal consultations at least once per year on the work of the CTC;
                 19. Directs CTED to make country assessments, recommendations, surveys,
           and analytical products available throughout the United Nations system, especially to
           UNOCT and United Nations counterterrorism-relevant agencies, funds, and
           programs, in order to better align United Nations technical assistance and capacity
           building with gaps in implementation and capacity identified by CTED, as well as in
           support of balanced implementation of the GCTS, except when requested by the
           assessed Member States to keep selected information confidential, and further directs
           CTED to enhance sharing of its findings with Member States and relevant
           counterterrorism partners, as appropriate and in consultation with the CTC, in
           international, regional, and subregional organizations, the GCTF, academia, think
           tanks, civil society, and the private sector, including through improved web access,



21-19887                                                                                                      9/13

S/RES/2617 (2021)

               outreach, workshops, open briefings, and utilization of the CTED Global Research
               Network (GRN), noting the importance of its geographic diversity;
                     20. Reiterates the essential role of CTED within the United Nations to identify
               and assess issues, trends, and developments relating to the implementation of
               resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), and 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019)
               and 2482 (2019), and other relevant resolutions, and in cooperation with UNOCT, to
               support balanced implementation of the GCTS, and also to advise the CTC on
               practical ways for Member States to implement these resolutions, and reiterates also
               the importance of work with relevant partners in this area, including through the
               GRN;
                    21. Recognizes CTED’s relationships with relevant experts and practitioners
               in Member States, relevant international, regional, and subregional organizations,
               academia, think tanks, civil society, and the private sector, and takes note of the value
               of these experts and practitioners in briefings, workshops, the GRN, and open
               meetings to support the efforts of the CTC to advance implementation of resolutions
               1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), and 2396 (2017), and other relevant
               counterterrorism resolutions and to promote analysis of emerging threats, trends, and
               developments;
                     22. Encourages Member States to consider developing comprehensive and
               integrated national counterterrorism strategies and effective mechanisms to
               implement them that include attention to the conditions conducive to terrorism, in
               accordance with their obligations under international law, and encourages further
               CTED to cooperate with Member States and international, regional, and subregional
               organizations, and other relevant partners, upon request, to assess and advise on
               formulating comprehensive and integrated national and regional counterterrorism
               strategies and the mechanisms to implement them, in close cooperation with UNOCT
               and other relevant UN agencies, with a view to ensuring coherence and
               complementarity of efforts and to avoid any duplication in the effort to further
               implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001) and other relevant resolutions, and to
               support balanced implementation of the GCTS;
                     23. Welcomes the adoption by the CTC, in accordance with resolution 2395
               (2017), of the updated Global Implementation Surveys (GIS) of resolutions 1373
               (2001) and 1624 (2005), takes note of the identified shortfalls with regard to the
               implementation of the aforementioned resolutions, welcomes also the adoption of the
               Electronic Detailed Implementation Survey and the revised Overview of
               Implementation Assessment by the CTC, and calls on CTED to make the quantitative
               and qualitative analysis offered by these tools available to Member States, donors,
               recipients, UNOCT, and other United Nations agencies for the purpose of designing
               technical assistance and capacity-building support;
                    24. Stresses that the heads of CTED and UNOCT should meet regularly to
               discuss areas of mutual interest and the incorporation of CTED recommendations and
               analysis into UNOCT’s work, particularly in implementation of tech nical assistance
               and capacity building, and directs UNOCT and CTED to draft jointly a report by
               30 March 2022 setting out practical steps to be taken by both bodies to ensure the
               incorporation of CTED recommendations and analysis into UNOCT’s work, to be
               considered by the CTC, as well as the General Assembly in the context of the GCTS
               review;
                     25. Encourages the Chair of the CTC to invite UNOCT at the most senior level
               to brief the CTC on a twice annual basis on UNOCT’s work, especially progress in
               incorporating CTED recommendations and analysis into the implementation of its
               programs and mandates, and further encourages the CTC Chair, with the assistance


10/13                                                                                                      21-19887

                                                                                                  S/RES/2617 (2021)

           of CTED, to conduct follow-up meetings with UNOCT on coordination with CTED,
           as well as to invite UNOCT to participate regularly in meetings on relevant issues;
                 26. Encourages CTED to also support the work of UNOCT, by advising its
           leadership and assisting in development of counterterrorism information shared with
           the Secretary-General and other senior leaders of the United Nations, as well as by
           supporting and joining UNOCT leadership, as appropriate, in preparation for,
           participation in, and hosting of workshops and conferences;
                 27. Reminds Member States that effective measures to prevent and counter
           terrorism and violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism and respect for
           human rights are complementary and mutually reinforcing, and essential to success,
           notes the importance of respect for the rule of law in effectively combating terrorism,
           welcomes the role, in this regard, of relevant civil society, academia, think tanks, and
           the private sector, especially women-, youth-, and locally-focused actors, and
           encourages CTED to further develop its activities to ensure that all human rights and
           rule of law issues relevant to the implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624
           (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), and other relevant resolutions are addressed as an
           important component of CTED’s country visits, assessments, analysis of emerging
           issues, trends, and developments, and facilitation of technical assistance;
                 28. Reiterates the obligation of Member States to refrain from providing any
           form of support, active or passive, to entities or persons involved in terrorist acts,
           including by suppressing recruitment of members of terrorist groups and eliminating
           the supply of weapons to terrorists, and encourages CTED to continue to fully take
           this obligation into account throughout its activities, and stresses the importance of
           full and effective implementation of the relevant resolutions and appropriately
           addressing the issues related to the lack thereof;
                 29. Encourages CTED, in close cooperation with UNOCT, to continue to pay
           close attention to resolution 1624 (2005) in its dialogue with Member States, and to
           work with them to develop, in accordance with their oblig ations under international
           law, strategies which include countering incitement of terrorist acts motivated by
           violent extremism and intolerance and to facilitate technical assistance for its
           implementation, as called for in resolution 1624 (2005) and the United Nations
           GCTS;
                 30. Expresses its profound solidarity with the victims of terrorism and their
           families, and encourages CTED, in close cooperation with UNOCT, to consider the
           important roles victims and their networks can play, including through the credibility
           of their voices, in countering terrorism;
                 31. Recognizes FATF expertise in countering terrorist financing, in particular
           identifying and working with Member States with strategic anti-money laundering
           and countering terrorist financing deficiencies, and welcomes the FATF report on
           ISIL, Al-Qaida and Affiliates Financing (2021), and ongoing FATF work related to
           terrorist financing, and calls upon the FATF to undertake further work on identifying
           how to improve global implementation of counter-terrorist financing measures, and
           strongly urges all Member States to implement the comprehensive international
           standards embodied in the FATF revised Forty Recommendations on Combating
           Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation, and encourages
           CTED to pursue close cooperation with the FATF to advance effective
           implementation of counter terrorist financing recommendations, including in
           particular on Recommendation 6: targeted financial sanctions related to terrorism and
           terrorist financing, and enhancing use by Member States of this key counter-terrorist
           financing tool;



21-19887                                                                                                      11/13

S/RES/2617 (2021)

                     32. Encourages CTED to raise awareness of the importance of Member State
               cooperation with investigations, prosecutions, seizure and confiscation as well as the
               return, restitution and repatriation of trafficked, illicitly exported or imported, stolen,
               looted, illicitly excavated or illicitly traded cultural property, through appropriate
               channels and in accordance with relevant legal frameworks as well as with the United
               Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto
               and relevant regional, subregional and bilateral agreements;
                     33. Expresses concern with the use of UAS by terrorists, and encourages
               CTED to raise awareness of the threats by posed by terrorist use of UAS, to launch
               attacks, or to traffic drugs and arms, and the need for Member States to address these
               threats;
                     34. Recognizes CTED’s work on countering use of the internet, other
               information and communications technology (ICTs), and other emerging technologies
               for terrorist purposes, while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, and
               taking into account Member State compliance with applicable obligations under
               international law, and taking note of the need to preserve global connectivity and the
               free and secure flow of information facilitating economic development,
               communication, participation and access to information, and stresses the importance
               of cooperation with civil society and the private sector in this endeavor;
                     35. Welcomes the collaboration between CTED and the 1267 Committee
               Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, and reiterates the need to
               enhance ongoing cooperation among the CTC and CTED and United Nations Security
               Council counter-terrorism bodies, including the Committee established pursuant to
               resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2255 (2015) and the Committee established
               pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), as well as their respective groups of experts,
               including through: enhanced information-sharing, coordination on visits to countries,
               coordination on facilitating and monitoring technical assistance, and other
               cooperative measure to assist Member States in their efforts to comply with their
               obligations under the relevant resolutions;
                     36. Reiterates the call for CTED to integrate gender as a cross-cutting issue
               throughout its activities, including within country-specific assessments and reports,
               recommendations made to Member States, facilitating technical assistance to Member
               States, and briefings to the Council, requests CTED to hold consultations with women
               and women’s organizations to inform its work, and urges CTED in collaboration with
               UN Women and other relevant UN Global Counterterrorism Compact Entities to
               conduct and gather gender-sensitive research and data collection on the drivers of
               radicalization to terrorism for women, and the impacts of counterterrorism strategies
               on women and girls, and on women’s human rights and women’s organizations;
                     37. Encourages CTED to integrate into its work the impact of terrorism on
               children and children’s rights, as appropriate, especially in regard to issues related to
               the families of returning and relocating FTFs;
                     38. Encourages continued, closer cooperation between ICAO and CTED, in
               particular by working together on identifying gaps and vulnerabilities relevant to
               counterterrorism and aviation security, promoting the work and tools of each agency,
               and coordinating closely on CTED assessments and the development of
               recommendations, notes that Annex 9 and Annex 17 of the Convention on
               International Civil Aviation contain standards and recommended practices relevant to
               the detection and prevention of terrorist threats involving civil aviation, including
               cargo screening, welcomes ICAO’s establishment of Standards and Recommended
               Practices on the collection, analysis, and use of Advance Passenger Information (API)
               and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data by its Member States, and reaffirms the
               obligation of Member States to develop the capability to collect, process and analyze,

12/13                                                                                                        21-19887

                                                                                                  S/RES/2617 (2021)

           in furtherance of ICAO standards and recommended practices, PNR data and to
           ensure PNR data is used by and shared with all their competent national competent
           authorities, with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, for the
           purpose of preventing, detecting, and investigating terrorist offenses and related
           travel;
                 39. Encourages CTED to work with relevant partners, including UNODC and
           UNOCT, and in consultation with the CTC, to avoid duplication of effort and to
           support efforts to enhance international law enforcement and judicial cooperation,
           including by, inter alia, identifying areas where it is appropriate to deliver technical
           assistance to Member States, upon their request, including through the training of
           prosecutors, judges, and other relevant officials involved in international cooperation,
           particularly by providing analysis on capacity gaps and recommendations based on
           CTED’s assessments and analysis, including on the designation of Central Authorities
           or other relevant criminal justice authorities involved with mutual legal assistance
           and extradition activities, and to ensure that such authorities have adequate resources,
           training and legal authority, in particular for terrorism related offences;
                 40. Encourages CTED to support Member States in developing or further
           improving their strategies for reducing risks to critical infrastructure and soft targets
           from terrorist attacks, to include, inter alia, assessing and raising awarene ss of the
           relevant risks, taking preparedness measures, including effective responses and
           resilience to such attacks, and promoting better interoperability, across all levels of
           government as well as with private industry and civil society, as appropriate, in line
           with UNSC resolution 2341 (2017), and in cooperation with UNOCT to create and
           promote the use of good practices, recalls the adoption by the GCTF of the “The
           Antalya Memorandum on the Protection of Soft Targets in a Counterterrorism
           Context,” and encourages CTED to take it into account, including in facilitation of
           facilitating technical assistance to Member States; and
                41.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




21-19887                                                                                                      13/13