FUNCTION BEFORE FORM : Optimising the UN’s counter-terrorism architecture Independent expert assessment prepared for the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Counter-terrorism

As the UN-Secretary-General spelled
out in the 2021 Report »Our Common
Agenda«, the UN has enormous
potential to tackle the persistent
threat of terrorism and its causes, as
an integral part of its response to the
pressing challenges of economic turmoil,
environmental disaster, inequality,
repression and conflict. To date, however,
the UN’s rudderless approach to
counter-terrorism risks dragging it off
course. Corroded by the undue influence
of undemocratic states with deep
pockets, UN-counter-terrorism efforts
are marred by their deep neglect for
prevention and human rights, and their
indifference to the results achieved.
Despite this, the UN’s Office of
Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) is quietly
moving to consolidate its position and
approach, and proposes a seven-fold
increase to its regular budget over
2023–2024.
The rise of UNOCT is emblematic of the
wider struggle to maintain multilateral
institutions that work for peace, democracy
and rights in the face of aggressive,
authoritarian agendas. This study documents
high reputational risks, conflicts
of interest and the failure to monitor
and manage performance effectively
from programme to strategic levels
across the UN’s counter-terrorism work.
The study moreover lays out a set of
recommendations, beginning with a
strategic review and reset, followed by
a significant process of change management,
across the UN’s counterterror
architecture. The author suggests that
UN Member States reject the proposed
budget increase for UNOCT, as it would
likely be paid for by cuts to other - potentially
better-performing UN entities and
programmes. As an essential pre-condition
before any additional resource
investment, Member States should
require a step change in results-orientation,
oversight and risk-management
across the UN’s counter-terror work. For
this, an independent reviewer or panel
of experts needs to be appointed by the
Secretary-General to head up a new
oversight mechanism.