GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT CONVENES AN "INFORMAL

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001002 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER UNGA SUBJECT: GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT CONVENES AN "INFORMAL MEETING" ON U.N. GLOBAL COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY ¶1. The Secretary General has circulated the following (para 2) letter convening a meeting to discuss implementation of the Counter-terrorism Strategy (Res 60/288). The discussion will take place in an "informal meeting" to permit participation by non-state actors. Action Request. Department guidance on points for use at the meeting requested. ¶2. Begin Text: 7 November 2007 Excellency, I intend to convene an informal meeting of the General Assembly on 4 December 2007 to discuss the ongoing and planned activities of Member States and the United Nations system to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Adopted unanimously by the General Assembly on 8 September 2006, the Strategy reflects a consensus of the United Nations Member States on wide-ranging counter-terrorism measures. Now, just over a year since the adoption of the Strategy and some 10 months before the formal review of the progress made in its implementation, there is a key opportunity to further our collective efforts to put the provisions of the Strategy into action. Member States are invited at the meeting to bring forward concrete actions and initiatives they have undertaken to implement the Strategy, as well as to share best practices and experiences identified in the implementation process. Such interventions can also help to provide examples for Member States of successful efforts to implement the Strategy, identify gaps in implementation to be filled over the coming months, and serve as an impetus for Member States to join initiatives of particular interest. The meeting will also facilitate further partnerships and information sharing between Member States and the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. With regard to the format of the meeting, the Secretary-General will join me for a brief opening, followed SIPDIS by morning and afternoon sessions that will be structured along the four pillars of the Strategy's Plan of Action. We will hear contributions from the Task Force followed by interventions from Member States, regional organisations and civil society on a given pillar. I will revert shortly to you on the detailed programme of the meeting. I look forward to seeing you on 4 December and to your active engagement. I am confident that this informal meeting will assist in achieving tangible results and in further directing our collective efforts before the formal examination of the implementation of Strategy. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Signed, Srgian Kerim Addressed to All Permanent Representatives and Permanent Observers to the United Nations, New York. End of Text Khalilzad