“Parliaments play vital roles as defenders of democracy, agents of accountability, and crucial links between the local and the global, bringing the concerns of people into the international arena.”
– UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his video message for 140th Interparliamentary Union Assembly, Doha, Qatar, 6 April 2019
Parliaments for?preventing and countering terrorism
The role of parliaments is crucial in preventing and countering terrorism and addressing the underlying spread of violent extremism. They are involved in law-making, policy-setting, budget allocation, oversight of government actions and ensuring a whole-of-society approach to countering terrorism by representing the interests of communities and working with vulnerable groups at risk of radicalization. Through monitoring governments’ actions, they ensure implementation and monitoring of and compliance with international obligations related to terrorism and initiate parliamentary hearings and inquiries as well as public campaigns to draw attention of citizens to emerging issues.
Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism
The UNOCT Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism’ was established through an Agreement signed between UNOCT and the Shura Council of the State of Qatar on 25 November 2020 and officially launched in Doha on 16 June 2021 in a hybrid opening ceremony in the Shura Council of the State of Qatar.
The Programme Office serves as a global hub to support and build the capacity of parliamentarians worldwide in their efforts to counter terrorism, through innovation and by leveraging partnerships with parliamentary assemblies, United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities, regional and international organizations, academia, and civil society.
Key Objectives
- Conducting research, analysis and normative work for Parliamentarians on counter-terrorism and preventing and countering violent extremism (CT/PCVE).
- Providing technical assistance and consultative services to Parliamentarians and Member States.
- Supporting the effective functioning of the Global Parliamentary Network and the coordination platform for regional parliamentary assemblies on countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism.
Events &? Activities
Documents and Statements
Coordination Mechanism
The Coordination Mechanism aims to promote cooperation and improve coordination among parliamentary assemblies, as well as between parliamentary assemblies and the United Nations in the area of countering terrorism and violent extremism (CT/PVE) – Learn more here
Publications
The Global Parliamentary Conference on Counter Terrorism and the Prevention of Violent Extremism Report 2025 outlines the key results of the conference held on 7–8 October 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye. The event brought together over 150 participants from 55 countries, including parliamentarians, 16 parliamentary assemblies, UN representatives, civil society organizations, and academic experts. Organized with the support of the Shura Council of the State of Qatar, the conference provided a forum for legislators to exchange experiences, examine emerging threats, and promote coherent, rights based legislative and oversight measures to address terrorism and prevent violent extremism.
This Handbook aims to serve as a reference tool for parliamentarians as they set out to propose, discuss, amend, and adopt legislation and national strategies related to countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism in all its forms. Also provides an overview of the available opportunities for technical assistance in support of Member States’ implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and subsequent relevant resolutions.
This publication was prepared by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) as a summary of discussions held during the Fifth Parliamentary Policy Dialogue on Parliamentary Approaches to Countering Terrorism Financing and Related Crimes, convened in Limassol, Republic of Cyprus, on 25 November 2025.
This publication was prepared by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) as a summary of discussions held during the Eighth Meeting of the Coordination Mechanism for Parliamentary Assemblies on Counter-Terrorism, convened in Limassol, Republic of Cyprus, on 26 November 2025.
This publication was prepared by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) as a summary of the key outcomes and practical insights generated during the Parliamentary Training Course on “Legislative and Policy Measures to Prevent and Counter the Use of Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies for Terrorism and Violent Extremism Purposes,” held in Manila, Philippines, from 11 to 13 February 2026.
Parliamentary Engagement Resources
Counter-terrorism resources
Join our Global Parliamentary Network
UNOCT’s Global Parliamentary Network for parliamentarians and their assemblies facilitates cooperation and coordination among parliamentarians worldwide to counter terrorism and prevent the spread of violent extremism.
Are you a parliamentarian or involved with the work of parliamentarians? Click to join our network.
Photo Gallery
