Saudi Arabia announces $6 million support for the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced that the Kingdom is providing financial support worth $6 million to the programs of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre, during his meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the financial support provided by the Kingdom to the Centre will be distributed over four calendar years, starting from the fiscal year 2027, reflecting the Kingdom’s belief in the importance of having a UN centre that offers capacity-building programs in various fields of counter-terrorism.

The Kingdom’s support for the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre stems from its pivotal role in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of the perpetrators, and its recognition of the importance of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre and its constructive and effective role in building the capacities of states and unifying global efforts in this field. This support continues the fruitful cooperation between the Kingdom and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, noting that the Kingdom initially contributed $110 million to the establishment of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre, in addition to recently contributing $300,000 to fund the Arab Strategy for Counter-Terrorism, according to SPA.

In a related development, the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition participated in the international conference “Saudi Arabia’s Efforts in Confronting Ideological Deviations,” organized by Umm Al-Qura University in Medina on September 27 and 28, with the participation of scholars, researchers, and specialists from within and outside the Kingdom. The Coalition showcased its efforts in combating terrorism through its intellectual, media, and military fields, as well as its efforts to counter terrorist financing. The Coalition displayed its publications, research, and studies related to combating terrorism, addressing issues of extremism and ideological deviation and ways to prevent them, according to SPA.

The participation highlights initiatives that translate knowledge into training and practical programs, and support the integration of efforts among relevant entities. The Coalition’s participation in the conference underscores its commitment to contributing to scientific discourse on confronting ideological deviations, and to promoting the studies and strategic initiatives it offers that support the efforts of member states in preventing extremism and combating terrorism, while enhancing the exchange of expertise among institutions, researchers, and specialists.