Security Council meeting to address linkages between terrorism & organized crime. Challenges, lessons learned, good practices & need to support UN entities fighting these threats.

Linkages between terrorism and organized crime are a growing threat facing the international community. There are increasing concerns that terrorists can benefit from organized crime, whether domestic or transnational, through, among other activities, trafficking in arms, persons, drugs, artifacts and cultural property; illicit trade in natural resources and wildlife; the abuse of legitimate commercial enterprises, non-profit organizations, donations and crowdfunding; and proceeds from criminal activity, including, but not limited to, kidnapping for ransom, extortion and bank robbery, as well as transnational organized crime at sea.

While the degree of the threat varies by region, the transnational nature and complex interlinkages between terrorism and organized crime underpin the importance of international cooperation and coordinated responses at multiple levels.

Furthermore, as national authorities have diverted attention and resources towards addressing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, new challenges have emerged. These include limitations of the law enforcement apparatus to conduct operations, as well as implications for border security, as transit patterns shift towards irregular routes owing to air travel restrictions.

The open debate provided an opportunity for Member States and observer States to discuss continued challenges, especially in the light of the shifting dynamics as a result of COVID-19; highlighted lessons learned and good practices for addressing the linkages between terrorism and organized crime; and identified areas for further joint action, including through the support of the United Nations system entities working on these issues. 

The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno L.P. Marsudi.

The Security Council heard briefings by the Under-Secretary-General of the Office of Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, and the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Ghada Fathi Waly.