UNITED NATIONS, United States, Feb 1, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – France is preparing
a UN Security Council resolution that would step up measures to counter
threats from terrorism financing, the French ambassador said Thursday.
The draft resolution, which is expected to be a centerpiece of France’s
presidency of the council in March, will take a broad approach to cutting off
terror groups from international finance.
French Ambassador Francois Delattre told a UN meeting that “the response of
the international community must continue to evolve to better adapt to the
threats” posed by terrorist financing.
The council has adopted resolutions aimed at choking off revenue to the
Islamic State jihadist group and Al-Qaeda-linked fighter, including a major
text in 2015 that allows for sanctions.
Delattre did not provide details of the proposed resolution, but diplomats
said it could oblige all UN member states to clamp down on anonymous
transactions and the use of new financial tools to funnel funds to terror
groups.
UN diplomats on Thursday heard several experts provide information on the
use of financial schemes by terror groups, including the use of money orders
to fund their activities.
The draft resolution would create the obligation for all member-states to
cooperate with the private sector to track down those who make use of
financial services for terrorism.