G20 Delhi Declaration gives no quarter to terrorism, calls for global cooperation

The G20 New Delhi Declaration on the issue of countering terrorism and preventing money laundering has taken a resolute and clear stance, urging all nations to collaborate in denying any and all help to terrorist groups. Ensuring that these groups cannot find a safe place to operate, recruit, secure financial support, or engage in other activities within any member country. The declaration strongly condemns terrorism in all its various forms, whether rooted in xenophobia, racism, intolerance, religion, or belief. It acknowledges the commitment of all religions to peace and recognizes that terrorism poses a significant threat to global peace and security. In the detailed declaration, the G20 firmly condemned terrorist actions targeting critical infrastructure, including vital energy facilities, as well as other vulnerable targets. It emphasized that all acts of terrorism, regardless of their motivation or perpetrator, are criminal and unjustifiable. The G20 highlighted that effective counterterrorism measures, support for terrorism victims, and the protection of human rights are not contradictory but rather complementary goals. It underlined the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach based on international law to effectively combat terrorism. “Strengthening international cooperation is essential to prevent terrorist groups from finding safe havens, freedom of operation, movement, recruitment, and financial, material, or political support,” the declaration stated. The declaration also expressed concern regarding the illegal trafficking and diversion of small arms and light weapons. It emphasised the critical role of international cooperation among nations in combating these issues, including implementing export and import controls, as well as tracing mechanisms. The G20 committed to providing increased resources for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF Style Regional Bodies. It encouraged other nations to do the same, particularly for the upcoming mutual evaluations. The G20 maintained its commitment to the timely and global implementation of revised FATF Standards regarding the transparency of beneficial ownership of legal entities and arrangements. This commitment aims to make it more challenging for criminals to conceal and launder illicit gains. The declaration welcomed the ongoing efforts of the FATF to enhance global initiatives for recovering criminal proceeds. This included progress made by the FATF in revising its standards on asset recovery and strengthening global asset recovery networks. The G20 reiterated the importance of countries developing and implementing effective regulatory and supervisory frameworks to reduce risks associated with virtual assets, aligning with FATF Standards. These measures are particularly crucial in addressing terrorism financing, money laundering, and proliferation financing risks. In this context, the G20 supports the FATF’s efforts to accelerate the global implementation of its standards, including the “travel rule,” and its work on emerging technologies and innovations, such as decentralized finance (DeFi) arrangements and peer-to-peer transactions.