Albares participates in the opening of the United Nations International Conference on Victims of Terrorism

Group photo of the opening of the International Conference on Victims of Terrorism chaired by King Felipe VI

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, participated in the opening session of the High Level Segment of the United Nations International Conference on Victims of Terrorism this Tuesday in Vitoria-Gasteiz, hosted by His Majesty the King.

In his remarks, he underlined the international dimension of the protection of victims of terrorism and their rights and Spain's commitment to this task. Albares also pointed out that terrorism is a transnational phenomenon and that threats from terrorist groups have global repercussions.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs also referred to Spain's commitment to multilateral organisations dedicated to the protection and defence of victims and the fight against terrorism. Spain is a member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum and an active member of the Global Coalition against Daesh. In addition, in 2019 it promoted the creation of the United Nations Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, which it currently co-chairs together with Iraq, a body that held its last meeting on 25 September, on the fringes of the UN General Assembly, and where the necessary actions to further support victims, their recognition, access to justice and protection of their rights were analysed. Spain is also promoting, and contributing financially to, the creation of a World Network of Associations of Victims of Terrorism, which will start operating soon.

The International Conference of Victims of Terrorism is a follow-up to the first Congress, held at the United Nations two years ago. The Vitoria-Gasteiz meeting is therefore the first to be held outside UN headquarters and reinforces Spain's image as a reliable and committed partner of the United Nations and of victims' rights at an international level.

The meeting is being held under the theme "Education as a tool for prevention, peace-building and empowerment of victims of terrorism". Through the different panels and working sessions, the aim is to educate and raise awareness among the younger generations about the impact of terrorism, helping to foster empathy and solidarity with the victims and to nurture a culture of peace and resilience.

Cast of experts

Nearly 400 experts, political leaders and victims and their families from all over the world are taking part in this International Conference in which His Majesty the King, the Minister for Home Affairs, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the Deputy Secretary General of the UN Counterterrorism Office, Vladimir Voronkov, and the Lehendakari of the Basque Government, Imanol Pradales, have also taken the floor.

Before all of them, Albares recalled that the human tragedy caused by terrorism "also inspires our policies", in reference to the central place that victims occupy in our international cooperation.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs mentioned the Sahel as "the epicentre of the activity of terrorist groups and organised crime", pointing out the importance that Spain has always attached to what is happening in this region neighbouring Spain, and therefore Europe, and which has become a focus of attention for both the European Union and the transatlantic partners, who included the Southern Neighbourhood in their Strategic Concept, at Spain's request.

Office in Spain

Since last year, Spain has hosted the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, which is responsible for the prevention and fight against violent extremism, support for victims of terrorism and bilateral and multilateral cooperation, among other matters.

Specifically, the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism in Madrid is responsible for the management and implementation of programmes and projects related to preventing and countering violent extremism, protecting vulnerable targets, promoting and protecting human rights while countering terrorism, supporting victims of terrorism, and bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Non official translation