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UN Counter-Terrorism Week Side Event: Unleashing the Potential of Cities in Localising the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy

Publication Date:

15/06/2026

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2026 UN Counter-Terrorism WeekLocalising Global FrameworksUN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategywhole-of-society approach

— 2 minutes reading time

On 26 June 2026, the Strong Cities Network will convene mayors, local leaders, Member States and United Nations partners for a side event during the 2026 UN Counter-Terrorism Week to explore the role of cities in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy at the local level.

The side event, Global Frameworks – Local Action: Unleashing the Potential of Cities in Facilitating the Localisation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, will highlight the vital role cities can play in turning global counter-terrorism commitments into sustainable local action. It will explore how, with the right mandate, resources and expertise, cities can strengthen prevention, resilience and whole-of-society approaches that support the long-term implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Co-organised by Strong Cities Network and the Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations, in partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, the event comes as the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy marks its 20th anniversary.

Since its adoption by consensus in 2006, the Strategy has underlined the need for human rights-based, cross-sectoral and whole-of-society approaches to preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism. As the Strategy enters its third decade, the side event will focus on the practical role cities can play in advancing these approaches in ways that are responsive to local needs, risks and community dynamics.

The side event will provide a platform for local leaders from across the Strong Cities Network to share how cities are already contributing to the implementation of the Strategy. Discussions will cover areas including community engagement, youth empowerment, the prevention of hate speech, protection of soft targets and major events, support for victims, rehabilitation and reintegration, intercommunal dialogue and recovery following terrorist or related incidents.

The discussion will also consider what more Member States and the United Nations can do to recognise, resource and strengthen cities as partners in the implementation of the Strategy.

Speakers

Ambassador Merete Fjeld Brattested
Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations

Steven Siqueira
Deputy Director, UN Counter-Terrorism Centre, UN Office of Counter-Terrorism

Tamara Anderson
Chief, Knowledge Management and Strategic Support Section, Policy, Knowledge Management and Coordination Branch, UN Office of Counter-Terrorism

Hon. Abubakari Adam Takoro
Mayor of Tamale (Ghana)

Eric Rosand
Global Chair, Strong Cities Network

Hon. Patty Cuttell
Deputy Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality, (Nova Scotia, Canada)

Petter Haugland
Political Adviser on Strategy and Media to the Governing Mayor of Oslo (Norway)

Rebecca Weiner
Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism, New York City Police Department, New York (New York, United States)

Sandra Moreno
Strategic Project Adviser, Development Branch, Community Services, Edmonton (Alberta, Canada)

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