UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution on the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy with the aim of securing peace and prosperity for succeeding generations.

The 15-page resolution, adopted by consensus, “calls upon member states, the United Nations and other appropriate international, regional and subregional organisations to step up their efforts” to implement, in an integrated and balanced manner, the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy, an instrument adopted by the assembly in 2006 to enhance national, regional and international efforts to counter terrorism.

The text also “reiterates its strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes”.

The assembly reviews the strategy every two years, and the adoption of a new resolution came on the second and last day of the fifth review held at the UN headquarters in New York, on the 10th anniversary of the strategy.

In a statement from his spokesperson, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the move.

“The adoption by consensus of this resolution symbolises the international community’s strong resolve to act in unison and without delay to address terrorism and violent extremism,” the UN chief said.

“Terrorism and violent extremism pose a major threat to international peace and security, as well as to sustainable development, human rights and humanitarian action at the global, regional and national levels.”

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2016