Statement by Sweden at the UN Security Council Briefing on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts

Thank you, Mr. President.

I would like to thank Egypt for organizing this briefing. I would also like to thank the briefers for their valuable presentations this morning.

Today, international terrorism is clearly one of the greatest threats to international peace and security. The fight against terrorism requires greater cooperation across national borders and across policy areas. In this regard, we thank Egypt for introducing the resolution just adopted.

A coordinated response is necessary to eliminate the supply of weapons to terrorists and to prevent the illicit trade in weapons. The relevant national law enforcement agencies need to cooperate and share information to combat illicit firearms trafficking, as well as to ensure adequate marking and tracing procedures for weapons.

Full implementation of existing multilateral agreements such as the Arms Trade Treaty, the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms, the International Tracing Instrument and the UN Firearms Protocol are also essential in preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons.

Moreover, Security Council arms embargos must be fully respected and properly implemented, in accordance with relevant resolutions and legal instruments.

Mr. President,

We would have liked to see the Council today urging all Member States to accede to the Arms Trade Treaty. The ATT is the first legally binding instrument for the regulation of the international arms trade. To achieve effective control of arms flows it is important that all arms-producing countries join the treaty. legal arms usually start as legally produced and traded weapons and that irresponsible export can cause as much damage as and lead to illegal flows. Furthermore, it is crucial that importing countries join the ATT as inadequate control leads to diversion to the illegal market. Transit countries should also join as they risk becoming unwitting links in the physical shipment of arms to conflict areas.

Mr. President,

 The aim of resolution 1540 (2004) on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is to stop non-state actors, notably terrorists, from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. The resolution we have adopted today constitutes an important complement to resolution 1540, since it encompasses conventional arms and the illicit flows of small arms and light weapons, as well as explosive elements for manufacture of improvised explosive devises.

In conclusion, Mr. President, let me underline that all counter-terrorism measures must be carried out in accordance with international law, including international human rights law, humanitarian law and refugee law – as reiterated in numerous Security Council resolutions. Human rights and fundamental freedoms, online as well as offline, and open societies, is critical for fostering resilience against terrorism. Member states working together, based on these agreed norms and standards, is the only and most effective way to counter the great threat of international terrorism.

Our hope is that today's meeting and resolution will contribute to those efforts.

I thank you.