UN Counter-Terrorism Committee adopts Delhi Declaration; Key takeaways here

United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee on Saturday, October 29, unanimously opted Delhi Declaration that aims at tackling terrorism. declaration outlines means to counter use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes. It also affirms that terrorism "in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of most serious threats to international peace and security."

landmark Delhi Declaration was opted by UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee after meeting held in Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace Hotel where speakers paid tribute to 26/11 victims. It focused on how new and emerging technologies might be exploited by terror operatives in pushing agenda of global terrorism. 

Key takeaways of Delhi Declaration

According to new Delhi Declaration, India now plans to execute recommendations based on three mes of CTC special meeting. se include "Countering Terrorist Exploitation of ICT and Emerging Technologies", "Threats and opportunities related to new payment technologies and fundraising methods," and "Threats posed by misuse of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by terrorists". At summit, India reaffirmed its commitment to combat terrorism in cooperation with key global players being victim of terror infiltration on its own soil from neighbouring nation of Pakistan.  

"India expressed determination to contribute furr to enhancing effectiveness of overall effort to fight this scourge on a global level. It also reaffirmed that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group," ANI reported, citing declaration.

India asserted that  increased use of internet and or information and communications technologies, including social media platforms, has been ramped up in its use by terrorists. New Delhi also acknowledged that  innovations in financial technologies— such as crowdfunding platforms—also present a serious risk and challenges of misuse for terrorist financing. country also expressed concern about  global misuse of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by terrorists to attack critical infrastructure of a country to destabilize situation. India also appealed to UN Member States to ensure zero tolerance towards terrorism, consistent with ir obligations under international laws.

Moreover, it recognized that innovations in financial technologies such as crowdfunding platforms present a risk of being misused for terrorist financing. It also expressed concern over increasing global misuse of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by terrorists to conduct attacks against critical infrastructure. In view of this, it urged all Member States to ensure zero tolerance towards terrorism, consistent with ir obligations under international laws.

It furr noted significance of  Member States and CTED to continue voluntary cooperation with private sector and civil society, including women and women's organizations, for more effective means to counter use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.

India supports  United Nations-affiliated Tech Against Terrorism initiative

In newly opted declaration, India supported United Nations-affiliated Tech Against Terrorism initiative to foster collaboration with representatives of technology industry, including smaller technology companies, civil society, acemia, and Government. This, it stated, would disrupt terrorists' ability to use Internet in furrance of terrorist purposes. India also noted importance of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms as it took note of industry-led Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) initiatives.

It also suggested that re was now an urgency to counter terror groups such as ISIL, also known as Daesh and Al-Qaeda, and ir affiliates, and snub ir funding for new recruits. India also opposed  flow of weapons, military equipment, UAS, and ir components, and improvised explosive devices IEDs to such terror organizations. 

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) works concerning virtual assets and virtual assets service providers to combat terrorism were also acknowledged by India. agency has taken action against risks that  services offered by virtual asset service providers (virtual assets like blockchain, bitcoin, crypto assets, and virtual currencies) pose on security by funding terrorism.