New UN Counterterrorism Regional Office Unveiled In Nairobi

NAIROBI,Kenya, Mar, 9 – The United Nations Office of Counterterrorism Wednesday unveiled their new regional office in a move said to boost regional and international efforts to combat terrorism.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi officially launched the regional office at the UN complex, in Gigigiri and said that the premier regional office is a pragmatic appreciation of Kenya’s strategic location and its history in fighting terror.

Matiang’i said that Kenya and her counterparts in the region will benefit from targeted and cost-effective support in curbing violent extremist idealogies.

“Terrorism is a global challenge,United Nations Office of counterterrorism is timely in fostering collaboration among member states, civil society and organizations within the region to improve investigative and preventive strategies,” he said.

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) will support countries in East Africa and the Horn of Africa in their efforts to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism.

The launch event was held in coordination with the Government of Kenya at the United Nations Office of Nairobi (UNON), and gathered government representatives from Kenya and countries in the region, the diplomatic community, as well as global, regional and national partners.

“The new Programme Office will enable UNOCT to provide support to Member States and other stakeholders in East Africa and the Horn of Africa as they work to deliver on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS). The GCTS provides a unique and comprehensive framework to strengthen national, regional and international efforts to counter terrorism,” said the UNOCT.

UNOCT maintains a field presence in 12 other locations across the globe to work closely with beneficiaries and partners on the ground and provide more targeted and cost-effective support to the respective regions.

The first workshop supported by the Office will focus on mobilizing South-South Cooperation in support of Countering Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism in Eastern and Southern Africa, especially through the sharing of expertise and lessons learned.