The meeting was aimed at reviewing progress and priorities in the fight against Daesh/ISIS. The participants addressed the increasing Daesh presence in Africa, the importance of prioritising the Daesh threat in Iraq and strengthening that country’s counter-terrorism capabilities, and the fight against terrorism in Syria, especially in the country’s north-east.  Regarding Afghanistan, they underlined the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing the ISIS/Khorasan threat with a view to eradicating terrorism in South and Central Asia.

The Global Coalition against Daesh was established in September 2014; it involves 87 countries and organisations, including all NATO and EU members (except Malta).

The ministers adopted a joint declaration welcoming the organisation of the Coalition’s first ministerial meeting on the African continent and reaffirming the shared determination to continue the fight against Daesh/ISIS by all means available and to create the conditions for a lasting defeat of that terrorist group, which is indeed the sole purpose of the Coalition. The ministers underlined their commitment to the protection of civilians, recalling that all activities must be conducted in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

In his statement, State Secretary Raščan stressed that the fight against terrorism and violent extremism remains a common long-term task. Despite the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has made the activities of terrorist groups more difficult, it has not prevented them, and the recruitment of new followers, mainly online, has intensified. The fight against terrorism cannot and should not be the sole task of governments, but requires close cooperation with civil society and the private sector in order to effectively address the root causes that promote the social acceptability of terrorist groups. Projects for demining and the disposal of explosives help make the environment safer, to which Slovenia contributes through the activities of the ITF Enhancing Human Security in Syria and Iraq. 

In the margins of the meeting, State Secretary Raščan met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Foreign Minister of Burkina Fasso Olivia Ragnaghnewendé, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Egidijus Meilūnas, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Chadians Abroad of Chad Oumar Ibn Daoud.