This September marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy: a comprehensive, human-rights-based, whole-of-society approach to countering terrorism and the conditions that can give rise to it.

In an article on International Peace Institute’s (IPI) Global Observatory, Eric Rosand, Executive Director of the Strong Cities Network, wrote about how the UN’s strategy, as well as the national and regional strategies it inspired, stand up against an evolving threat landscape.

Eric argued that local governments and leaders remain consistently overlooked in the UN’s discussions of how to effectively prevent and respond to threats.

“This omission is glaring. Terrorists and violent extremists target cities, exploit local tensions, attack public spaces, and leave mayors and municipal leaders to rebuild traumatized communities as cities in every region of the world continue to absorb the immediate and long-term impacts of terrorist violence.”

Eric describes how cities are well-placed to prevent terrorism and hate, citing research by the Strong Cities Network showing that “frontline municipal actors—teachers, violence interrupters, librarians, social and youth workers, community organizers, faith leaders, and local service providers—are often the first to see early signs of vulnerability or rising tension.”

Cities are already advancing the pillars outlined by the UN strategy in concrete, locally grounded ways, Eric explained in his piece. Nevertheless, UN member states rarely mention municipal contributions when reporting on the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Likewise, UN debates on how to improve the strategy’s implementation rarely include local government representatives.

Looking ahead, Eric argues that the UN must shift the conversation away from diplomats in New York and toward the local initiatives.

“The next decade of the Strategy must move beyond the corridors of UN headquarters and seemingly never-ending debates about the UN counterterrorism structure and budgets. Instead, it must give cities and municipalities—whether large or small, urban or rural—recognition, resources, and a seat at the table.”

The full article is available on IPI Global Observatory.