UN chief urges member states to adopt national plans of action to prevent extremism

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called on member states to adopt national plans of action to prevent violent extremism as he presented a report on the issue to the General Assembly.

Ban's report, Plan of Action to Prevent Extremism, appealed for concerted action by the international community to adopt security-based counter-terrorism measures and also preventive steps to address the drivers of violent extremism.

While briefing the General Assembly on the report, Ban said the Plan recognizes that there are no "one size fits all" solutions.

In this regard, the Plan called on each member state to develop a national plan that sets national priorities to address the local drivers of violent extremism and complements national counter-terrorism strategies.

In recent years, terrorist groups such as the extremist group Islamic State (IS), Al-Qaida and Boko Haram have shaped the image of violent extremism. The terrorist attacks by these groups have posed a serious threat to international peace and security.

"They have brazenly kidnapped young girls, systematically denied women's rights, destroyed cultural institutions, warped the peaceful values of religions, and brutally murdered thousands of innocents around the world," Ban told the Assembly.

To prevent the spread of violent extremism, Ban said a focus should be given to seven priority areas, including dialogue and conflict prevention, strengthening good governance, engaging local communities, empowering women, as well as facilitating education development for young people.

The report also noted that the manipulative messages of violent extremists on social media have achieved "considerable success in luring people," especially young women and men, into their ranks.

Therefore, Ban recommended member states to develop national communications strategies to cooperate with social media companies and the private sector to challenge extremism associated narratives.

In addition, the Plan highlighted the significance of empowering youth, asking to identify better tools with which to support young people as they take up the causes of peace, pluralism and mutual respect.

Ban also promised that the UN will strengthen its support to member states to address the drivers of violent extremism, and UN missions as well as country teams will support member states when developing their national action plans. Endit