Geneva: The State of Qatar participated in a discussion session titled "Strengthening Community Mechanisms to Prevent Violent Extremism," marking the third anniversary of the "International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism." The event was hosted by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) at its headquarters in Geneva.
Acting Charge d'Affaires of Qatar's Permanent Delegation to the United Nations in Geneva Jawhara bint Abdulaziz Al Suwaidi represented the State of Qatar.
In her opening remarks, Al Suwaidi emphasized that the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 77/243, adopted on Dec. 20, 2022. The resolution aims to raise awareness about the risks of violent extremism and enhance international efforts to combat it. She highlighted that the resolution underscores the crucial role of international governmental organizations in preventing violent extremism.
Al Suwaidi noted that this year coincides with the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter, which was founded on principles of promoting peace and security, protecting human rights, eradicating poverty, and fostering justice and equality. She stressed that violent extremism undermines these noble goals and contradicts them.
She also highlighted the importance of GCERF's role in enhancing communities' capacity to resist violent extremism, reiterating Qatar's condemnation of violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, and its commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at addressing the conditions that lead to the spread of violence. She emphasized Qatar's belief that eradicating violent extremism can only be effective through direct engagement with affected communities and investing in the people themselves.
In this context, Al Suwaidi mentioned that Qatar was one of the first countries to support the establishment of GCERF in 2014 and was among the countries that proposed the UN resolution declaring February 12 as the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism. She added that preventing violent extremism is not an isolated issue but requires a comprehensive and multidimensional approach focused on addressing root causes, including focusing on projects that address education, poverty reduction, and capacity building to rebuild resilience within communities.
She clarified that eradicating violent extremism is not the responsibility of a single country or region but a shared responsibility. She emphasized that this phenomenon knows no geographical boundaries and does not belong to any particular religion, requiring a collective response and comprehensive international cooperation.
It is worth noting that the State of Qatar was among the five countries that proposed the resolution to declare February 12 as the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 77/243 in 2022.
