Malta demonstrated its continued strong commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism in the critical area of counter-terrorism by co-organising with the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the International Conference on National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies, held in Malta, 12-13th March 2025. The conference brought together representatives from over 50 Member States, United Nations entities, international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector.
The main aim of the event was updating the Bogotá Principles on national and regional counter-terrorism strategies, originally concluded in 2013, so that counter-terrorism strategies remain effective, comprehensive, and integrated by promoting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. The conference concluded with the non-binding Valletta Principles on Comprehensive and Integrated Counter-Terrorism Strategies; a set of 42 non-binding guiding principles offering expert recommendations for Member States and regional organizations to consider when formulating or revising their national and regional counter-terrorism strategies.
The Valletta Principles address emerging threats, risks and challenges by offering practical guidance for improving effectiveness and inclusiveness in the implementation of counterterrorism efforts. These updated principles build upon the work of the United Nations Global Compact Working Group on National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies, as well as the contributions shared during the Conference. Above all, they are in accordance with the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and the latest Security Council resolutions related to counter-terrorism, resolutions 1963 (2010), 2129 (2013), 2395 (2017), and 2617 (2021).
The Valletta Principles document, a compilation of all presentations made during the Conference, and the summary of the discussions are being published for the benefit of Member States, regional organizations and all relevant stakeholders.
Valletta Principles official document
Summary Record of UNCTED Conference
Compendium of Presentations presented at the UNCTED Conference
