Remarks

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
Secretary Austin, thank you for organizing this Defeat ISIS Defence Ministerial, and I'm honoured that we can host this important, tenth anniversary event here at NATO Headquarters. And I believe it is also fitting. NATO is strongly committed to countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Ten years of the coalition is an important reflection point. The coalition has done extraordinary work over the years.

And I welcome that five years after the defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the reduction of the ISIS threats in Iraq has led to a planned transition of the coalition's military mission in Iraq, to bilateral security partnerships. But we must not take our eye off the ball. The continuing violent attacks by ISIS affiliates and other terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq, as well as across the SAHEL, Eastern Africa and Europe, underline that terrorism remains a persistent threat.

And it is a threat that is evolving. There is an increase in lone wolf attacks. Terrorists are increasingly using new technologies, and the epicentre is moving southwards into the SAHEL, a region which is now accounting for almost half of all deaths from terrorism.

At the NATO summit in Washington this July, Allied leaders agreed a new action plan on NATO's role in the international community's fight against terrorism. We also appointed a Special Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism last year and a Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood this year.

In the Middle East and North Africa, NATO continues to support our partners in their fight against terrorism. NATO's Mission Iraq is the cornerstone of our engagement in the region. And thanks to close coordination with United States and all our Allies, NATO's Mission Iraq will continue after Operation Inherent Resolve, as a non-combat advisory mission to strengthen Iraqi security institutions.

Additionally, Jordan, Mauritania and Tunisia already benefit from NATO defence capacity building packages, each with a strong counter-terrorism dimension.

Other partners in the region also benefit from counter-terrorism training and exercise opportunities, in areas ranging from battlefield evidence to border security and awareness of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.

Beyond our work with individual partners, NATO is engaging through the Mediterranean dialog and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative partners, to improve civilian military cooperation and support broader efforts in fighting terrorism. And of course, we coordinate closely with other international organizations, including the UN, the EU and Interpol.

Dear colleagues, NATO is committed to stepping up its efforts to counter global terrorism in line with the goals and aspirations of this coalition. So thank you, and I look forward to our discussions and consultations today.