Learn more about the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism (7 and 8 April 2016)
In recent years, terrorist groups such as ISIL, Al-Qaida and Boko Haram have shaped our image of violent extremism and the debate about how to address this threat. Their message of intolerance – religious, cultural, social – has had drastic consequences for many regions of the world. Holding territory and using social media for real-time communication of their atrocious crimes, they seek to challenge our shared values of peace, justice and human dignity.
On 15 January 2016 the Secretary-General presented his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism to the General Assembly.
On 12 February 2016, the General Assembly adopted a resolution that "welcomes the initiative by the Secretary-General, and takes note of his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism". The General Assembly will "give further consideration to the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism beginning in the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy review in June 2016 as well as in other relevant forums". The Assembly concluded its general debate on the plan of action to prevent violent extremism on 16 February.
In the Plan, the Secretary-General calls for a comprehensive approach encompassing not only essential security-based counter-terrorism measures but also systematic preventive steps to address the underlying conditions that drive individuals to radicalize and join violent extremist groups.
The Plan is an appeal for concerted action by the international community. It provides more than 70 recommendations to Member States and the United Nations System to prevent the further spread of violent extremism.
The Plan is accompanied by a Letter of the Secretary-General to the President of the General Assembly (A/70/675), where the Secretary-General puts forward an “All-of-UN” approach both at Headquarters and in the field to support national, regional and global efforts to prevent violent extremism and assist Member States in developing National Plans of Action.
The Plan was developed through an extensive United Nations inter-agency process and is based on the outcomes of high-level meetings of the General Assembly and Security Council, interactive briefings to Member States and outcomes of international and regional meetings.
Press Kit
- Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism (A/70/674)
- Letter dated 22 December 2015 from the Secretary-General to the President of the General Assembly (A/70/675)
- Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 12 February 2016
- Recommendations of the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism
- Note to Correspondents (12 January)
- Information Note for Media on the Plan of Action (12 January)
- ‘Uniting to Prevent Violent Extremism’, Op-ED by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General
Statements
- UN Secretary-General's Remarks at General Assembly Presentation of the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism (15 January 2016) - (Webcast)
- Opening remarks by Mr Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70th session of the General Assembly at Informal Meeting of the General Assembly — Briefing by the Secretary-General on his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism (15 January 2016) - (Webcast)
- Secretary-General, at Leaders’ Summit, Highlights New Plan for Collective Action to Combat Violent Extremism (29 September 2015)
- Remarks by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at Summit for Countering Violent Extremism (19 February 2015)
Watch the webcast of the entire event.