Thirteenth Annual SCAD-SCR Seminar on Sanctions

17 November 2023

Security Council Report

711 Third Avenue, Suite 1501, New York

Intervention by

Ambassador Ms. Ruchira Kamboj,

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and the former Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC)

I extend my sincere thanks to the Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD) for the opportunity to share my experiences as the chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee with the new members of the Security Council.
 

In today's workshop, which has primarily focused on chairing sanctions committees, many have shared their insights. I will address the general aspects of chairing subsidiary bodies, using the Counter-Terrorism Committee as a detailed example.

During India's tenure in the Security Council from 2021-2022, we chaired three subsidiary bodies: the Libya and Afghanistan sanctions committees in both years, and the Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2022. As we are in mid-November, let me start from the beginning.
 

Initially, as a new chair, you will receive a handing-over note from your predecessor. This document, varying across committees, includes essential resolutions, sanctions details, and background on potential issues. It's vital for both the chair and their committee expert to be well-versed in these materials.
 

Each committee has its unique operational guidelines. As chair, you are bound by these. The Secretariat will be a valuable advisor, guiding you and your team on permissible actions, historical precedents, and the like. Regular interaction between the Secretariat and your team's focal point is essential.
 

While guidelines are stringent, they do not restrict a chair's initiative. Aligning these initiatives with national interests can be beneficial. For example, as the chair of the Libya sanctions committee, we conducted briefings for regional members, and as the chair of the Counter Terrorism Committee, we organized a special meeting in India.

The Counter Terrorism Committee, established in 2001 with Resolution 1373, oversees the implementation of over 20 Security Council resolutions. Our role involves direct engagement with member states, conducting assessment visits, and facilitating capacity building to address terrorism's transnational nature.
 

During our chairmanship, we revitalized the CTC's agenda, resuming full in-person meetings and organizing over 30 activities, including a special meeting on countering the use of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes in Mumbai and New Delhi. This endeavor required meticulous planning and coordination.
 

The chair's role in the CTC extends beyond administrative duties, offering significant prerogatives to set priorities and initiate projects. India's longstanding experience with cross-border terrorism positioned us well to lead the CTC.

Concerning CSOs and gender mainstreaming, India promotes an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach in counter-terrorism. Our efforts include enhancing geographical diversity and gender representation. In the special CTC meeting, for instance, 40% of the speakers were women.

In closing, I hope these insights from my tenure as chair of the Counter Terrorism Committee and my experiences with other subsidiary bodies will be helpful for the incoming members and chairs. Thank you for your patience with this detailed and elaborate statement.

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