Protection of Critical Infrastructure including Vulnerable Targets, Internet and Tourism Security

Mandate

The mandate of the Working Group is drawn from the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/RES60/288):

Section II, paragraph 12:
“To work with the United Nations with due regard to confidentiality, respecting human rights and in compliance with other obligations under international law, to explore ways and means to: (a) Coordinate efforts at the international and regional levels to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations on the Internet.

Section II, paragraph 18:
“To step up all efforts to improve the security and protection of particularly vulnerable targets, such as infrastructure and public places…while recognizing that States may require assistance to this effect.”

Section III, paragraph 13: “To encourage the United Nations to work with Member States and relevant international, regional and sub-regional organizations to identify and share best practices to prevent terrorist attacks on particularly vulnerable targets. We invite the International Criminal Police Organization to work with the Secretary-General so that he can submit proposals to this effect. We also recognize the importance of developing public-private partnerships in this area.”

Considering that the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy reaffirms “that the promotion and protection of human rights for all and the rule of law” as “essential to all components of the Strategy”, the Working Group will integrate a human rights perspective into its work.

Status

The objectives of the CTITF Working Group on the Protection of Critical Infrastructure including Vulnerable Targets, Internet and Tourism Security are:

  • to establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate the development and sharing of best practices on the protection of vulnerable sites, public spaces or critical infrastructure that carry importance for their respective States and regions, or are of international importance;
  • to strengthen the capacity of both public and private sectors and to increase the development of public and private partnerships on protection of critical infrastructure, including Internet, cyber and tourism security, in order to prevent and react in an efficient manner to potential risks and threats to related facilities, including by promoting awareness and understanding of the necessary balance between economic and security issues.
  • to improve responsiveness and resilience by promoting methods of planning, prevention, crisis management and recovery;
  • to promote the exchange of information and best practices and establish a network of experts;
  • to support States in the implementation of the provisions of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy that are relevant to the Working Group’s focus areas (as listed under ‘Mandate’ below).

Entities