Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) in New York to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest to combat terrorism and prevent extremism.
The MoU was signed by NAUSS President Dr. Abdulmajeed bin Abdullah Al-Banyan, UNOCT Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and Executive Director of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, in the presence of His Excellency the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, who is also Chairman of the Advisory Board of the UNCCT.
The MoU aims to enhance joint efforts between the two sides in supporting the international community's endeavors to build national, regional and international capacities to address terrorism and extremism crimes.
This MoU also comes in the context of the efforts of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center to enhance international cooperation between centers of excellence working in the field of combating terrorism.
Mr. Vladimir Voronkov explained that the MoU would develop joint work in support of the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and various capacity-building activities in the fields of border security and management, as well as combating terrorist financing, cybersecurity and other activities related to combating terrorism and extremism. He also praised the close relations between the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, which were confirmed through a strategic partnership, through it, many joint programs were, implemented that contributed to combating terrorist crimes of all kinds.
His Excellency the President of NAUSS expressed the university's pride in signing this MoU with UNOCT, considering it the culmination of years of joint work and an affirmation of the commitment of NAUSS to support the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Dr. Al-Banyan stressed that NAUSS, based on its strategic plan 2019-2023, attaches special importance to the development of international cooperation and international strategic partnerships, implementing the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior, chairman of the Supreme Council of the University, and Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Arab Ministers of Interior, which always emphasize opening new opportunities in the field of Arab and international cooperation, especially with academic and security institutions and organizations related to university programs.
H.E. Ambassador Abdallah Y. Al-Mouallimi stressed that the signing of the MoU between NAUSS and the United Nations comes in the context of the continuous support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for international and regional cooperation in combating terrorism, and the enhancement of its pioneering role in this field. That was reflected in its generous support of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, praising the efforts of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center as a center of excellence.
It is noteworthy that the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center is one of the components of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, which was established in 2017 to lead the implementation of counter-terrorism recommendations issued by the General Assembly, enhance coordination and coherence, and provide capacity-building assistance to Member States, and promote the balanced and coordinated implementation of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy, providing opportunities for research and analysis including emerging challenges in the field of counter-terrorism, and engaging relevant academic and civil society forums and networks. (NAUSS; Photo © NAUSS)
