Thanks to financial support from the Republic of Korea, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) led a delegation of experts to Sri Lanka where they conducted consultations within the framework of the Intelligence Oversight Working Group for South and South-East Asia (IOWG-SSA). The working group was launched as part of the Initiative on Strengthening Oversight and Accountability in Counter-Terrorism.
The discussions, held in Colombo from 9 to 11 September 2026, were led by CTED’s Deputy Executive Director, Carmen G. Cantor and focused on the strategic context, key substantive elements and implementation of a national comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy rooted in applicable international frameworks, in particular resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and Assembly General, existing guiding principles, and good practices from jurisdictions experienced in implementing such strategies.
The consultations were also intricately linked to Sri Lanka’s national context and understanding of terrorism-related threats. Representatives from the Sri Lankan State Intelligence Service, the Directorate of Military Intelligence and the Directorate of Naval Intelligence shared their insights on drivers contributing to radicalization to terrorism, as well as linkages between terrorism and organized crime, including in the context of threats to maritime security.
CTED’s Deputy Executive Director marked the commemoration of the 11 September attacks and the 25th anniversary of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.
Marking the commemoration of the 11 September attacks and the 25th anniversary of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, CTED’s Deputy Executive Director emphasized, “Today, the global terrorist threat is more dynamic, diverse, and interconnected than it was twenty-five years ago, or for that matter, 10 years ago. Terrorist groups continue to adapt their methods, leverage new technologies, and exploit instability and local grievances to advance their objectives. In response, our efforts cannot be fragmented or reactive. Addressing these challenges requires a clear vision, shared priorities, and coordinated action across government institutions and society as a whole. Put simply, there is no sustainable counter-terrorism response without a strategy.”
With reference to the 2025 Valetta Guiding Principles, experts from CTED and IOWG-SSA mapped out key cross-cutting principles that can guide the development, implementation, review, and evaluation of national comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies. These include alignment with relevant international norms and standards, including international human rights law, the importance of comprehensive and integrated approaches, effective multi-stakeholder engagement, national counter-terrorism coordination mechanisms, etc.
Experts from CTED and IOWG-SSA mapped out key cross-cutting principles with reference to the 2025 Valetta Guiding Principles.
Dedicated thematic sessions covered strengthening risk-based law enforcement responses and intelligence integration; criminal justice responses to terrorism; integration of measures to counter the financing of terrorism; addressing conditions conducive to terrorism; border management and travel-related security; as well as an overview of various mechanisms for governance, coordination, oversight, and compliance.
The consultations emphasized the importance of national ownership while recognizing the value of international dialogue and the exchange of experiences and good practices.
In resolution 1963 (2010), the Security Council encouraged CTED to arrange meetings with Member States for the purpose of considering and advising, as appropriate, on the development of comprehensive and integrated national counter-terrorism strategies and the mechanisms to implement them that include attention to the factors that lead to terrorist activities, in accordance with their obligations under international law. In subsequent resolutions, including 2129 (2013), 2395 (2017), and 2617 (2021), the Security Council explicitly called upon Member States to consider developing comprehensive and integrated national counter-terrorism strategies and effective mechanisms for their implementation that include attention to the conditions conducive to terrorism, in accordance with their obligations under international law. In these resolutions, the Council also encourages CTED to assess and advise on the development of such strategies, including the mechanisms to implement them.