UNGA81 Sixth Committee, agenda item “Measures to eliminate international terrorism”
Statement delivered by Elvira Cupika-Mavrina, Legal advisor of Latvia on behalf of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia
New York, 5 October 2026
Mr. Chair,
I have the honor to address the Sixth Committee on behalf of the 3 Baltic States Estonia, Lithuania and my own country Latvia. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the European Union and its member states.
As this is the first time we take the floor during this committee session, we wish to congratulate the chair and other members of the bureau on their appointment. We would like to assure you of our full support and cooperation towards a successful session.
This year marks 20 years since the adoption of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Over these two decades, terrorist threats have evolved. Terrorist groups and their affiliates continue to exploit instability, adapt their methods of financing, recruitment and make use of new and emerging technologies.
The 9th review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy earlier this year came at an important moment. While we regret that it was not possible to adopt the resolution by consensus, we remain firmly committed to comprehensive and balanced implementation of all 4 pillars of the Strategy.
We would like to make three points.
First, the fight against terrorism must remain firmly anchored in international law.
The Baltic States condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, whenever and for whatever purpose, irrespective of motivation, timing, or perpetrator. The issues at hand have developed not because we have a lack of a legal framework, but from shortcomings in its implementation. All counter terrorism measures must therefore be carried out in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
We welcome the continued momentum within this committee to resolve the outstanding issues concerning the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. We encourage all delegations to engage constructively to advance this long-standing issue.
Second, prevention must remain at the center of countering terrorism.
As we cannot defeat this threat through kinetic and reactionary measures alone. This is particularly true as terrorist groups increasingly exploit new and emerging technologies – including AI – for propaganda, recruitment, radicalization, and financing. To ensure our preventive measures evolve alongside these threat patterns and remain ahead of them, closer international cooperation is required. We must actively engage with the private sector, tech companies, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen our collective capacity to prevent and counter terrorism.
Third, our commitments must translate into practical implementation.
Terrorist threats are not identical in all countries and regions. National responses should be risk based, tailored to national needs and consistent with international obligations.
The Baltic States underline the importance of implementing the relevant Security Council resolutions and internationally agreed standards, including those developed by the Financial Action Task Force.
Our experience demonstrates the value of robust national risk assessments and strong cooperation between financial intelligence units, law enforcement authorities, regulators and international partners.
We remain committed to working with all Member States towards the full implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and our common objective of eliminating terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations.
I thank you!