Pia Kauma, Vladimir Voronkov and Kamil Aydin in New York, 21 May 2025NEW YORK CITY, 22 May 2025 – Members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism (CCT), led by President Pia Kauma (Finland) and Committee Chair Kamil Aydın (Türkiye), visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York this week for discussions with senior officials from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) on latest trends and global counter-terrorism efforts.
The visit was crowned by the renewal of the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the OSCE PA and UNOCT. Against the backdrop of a fast-evolving global security landscape, this co-operation agreement underscores the continued commitment of both organizations to strengthen parliamentary engagement in international counter-terrorism efforts. The new agreement highlights the special contribution of the OSCE PA to international, regional and national counter-terrorism efforts as a unique forum for inter-parliamentary dialogue across the OSCE region.
“Parliamentarians are uniquely positioned to shape policies and legislation that address the root causes of terrorism while protecting fundamental rights,” said OSCE PA President Pia Kauma. “This agreement reinforces our joint commitment to effective human rights-based counter-terrorism and gives new momentum to our strategic partnership with the United Nations during these challenging times.”
Underscoring the unique contribution of the CCT in addressing terrorism and violent extremism, UNOCT Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov commended the Assembly in successfully presiding over the Global Coordination Mechanism for Parliamentary Assemblies on Counter-Terrorism between 2022-2024. “Collaboration with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly plays a crucial role in the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy,” he noted. “Through our dedicated Parliamentary Programme, UNOCT will continue to support OSCE lawmakers in their counter-terrorism efforts.”
Under the leadership of the OSCE PA, the Coordination Mechanism expanded from nine to 17 Assemblies and fostered cross-regional dialogue on pressing issues such as artificial intelligence, protection of vulnerable targets, border security, human rights, and youth radicalization to violent extremism. These discussions fostered a more coherent parliamentary understanding of complex counter-terrorism challenges, thus promoting co-operation and co-ordination among lawmakers across the world.
Reflecting on this legacy, OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum: “The Mechanism remains a privileged space for lawmakers to explore trends, exchange experiences and launch joint initiatives. A forum where parliamentarians from across the world can collaborate on key issues and engage with renowned experts. A Mechanism owned by parliamentarians and working for parliamentarians.” He assured the OSCE PA’s continued devotion to inter-parliamentary co-operation and readiness to further enhance bilateral co-operation with UNOCT through the renewed MoU.
CCT Chair Kamil Aydın visits the 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial in New York, 22 May 2025On this occasion, CCT Chair Kamil Aydın reflected on the four-day visit to the United States, which kicked off on Monday and included a series of high-level meetings in Washington, DC, and New York City. He underscored the Assembly’s determination to continue motoring new trends and developing cohesive counter-terrorism policies. “As Chair, I remain fully committed to steering the committee’s work to address fast-evolving terrorist threats, including the alarming trend of teenagers being increasingly targeted by online radicalization to violent extremism,” Aydın said.
In closing the visit, the CCT paid tribute to the victims of terrorism at the 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial, recalling the profound human cost of terrorism and offering heartfelt condolences to the families of all those who have lost their lives or been affected by such acts. By remembering them, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to fostering international solidarity and resilience in the fight against violent extremism. It stressed that supporting victims and remembering their suffering is not only a moral duty, but also a powerful counter-narrative to the hatred and fear sown by terrorism.
“Our societies owe a debt of gratitude to the victims of terrorism, and we should do everything in our power to render them justice and dignity,” concluded Chair Aydın.
To download the joint OSCE PA-UNOCT press release on the signing of the MoU, please click here.
Photos of the CCT’s visit to the United States are available for public use here.
For more on the work of the CCT, please click here.
