Saudi Arabia: A comprehensive international strategy to combat cross-border terrorism
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its firm and unwavering stance on the importance of strengthening international cooperation and concerted global efforts to confront the threat of cross-border terrorism, stressing that this scourge is not linked to any religion, race, or nationality, and requires a unified and comprehensive international response to eliminate it and dry up its sources.
Leading role in combating extremism
This affirmation comes as a continuation of the Kingdom's leading role on the international stage as a key partner in global security alliances. Saudi Arabia has a long and distinguished record in combating terrorist organizations, having suffered treacherous attacks in the past, which prompted it to develop a comprehensive security and ideological strategy that has become a global model. The Kingdom has not limited itself to security measures alone, but has also focused on the ideological aspect through counseling and rehabilitation centers to reintegrate those influenced by extremist ideology.
International initiatives and institutional support
At the international level, Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of calling for international cooperation, hosting the International Counter-Terrorism Conference in Riyadh in 2005, which resulted in a proposal to establish an international center for counter-terrorism. The Kingdom translated this proposal into tangible reality through its generous support of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) with over $110 million, making it one of the most important UN arms for building the capacity of member states to confront terrorist threats.
The Kingdom also led the formation of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, based in Riyadh, which includes dozens of Islamic countries with the aim of coordinating military, intelligence, financial and media efforts to combat extremism in all its forms and manifestations.
The importance of cooperation in light of current challenges
This Saudi emphasis is particularly significant given the technological advancements exploited by terrorist groups to spread their propaganda and recruit followers across borders, as well as their use of cryptocurrencies to finance their operations. Therefore, the Kingdom consistently calls for enhanced intelligence sharing, border control, and the enactment of international legislation that criminalizes the financing of terrorism and prevents the provision of safe havens for terrorist elements.
Stability is a cornerstone of development
Within the framework of its ambitious Vision 2030, the Kingdom believes that security and stability are the cornerstones of economic development and social prosperity, not only locally but also regionally and internationally. Therefore, eliminating transnational terrorism is a prerequisite for ensuring the flow of global trade, energy security, and market stability, which benefits all the world's peoples.
