ANTALYA, Nov 16:
In its first communique on a political issue, leaders of the world’s richest and most powerful countries (G20), including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today vowed to conduct joint action against growing global terrorism as well as choking terror financing channels.
The Antalya Summit is the first time the G-20 engaged in issues other than the economy and trade as world leaders released a statement denouncing the Paris attacks while vowing unity against terrorism.
A dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on “Global Challenges: Terrorism and Migration” formed the basis for the statement.
Modi at the dinner had stated that some countries still use terror as “an instrument of state policy” and need to be isolated while terror financing should be criminalised.
“We don’t have a comprehensive global strategy to combat terrorism. And, we tend to be selective in using the instruments that we have,” he said, adding that it was more important than what we face is how we respond to the threat.
The joint statement, issued at the end of the two-day G20 Summit, underlined that leaders reaffirmed that terrorism cannot be associated with any religion, nationality or ethnic group.
G20 leaders, including US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin, denounced the Paris attacks as “heinous” and reiterated that they would remain united in combating terrorism.
Expressing concerns over the growing flow of foreign terrorist fighters, G20 leaders demanded stepped-up border control and aviation security.
They stressed on remaining committed to tackling financing channels of terrorism by enhanced cooperation on the exchange of information and by freezing the assets of terrorists.
G20 leaders, the statement said, remained committed to tackling the financing channels of terrorism, particularly by enhanced cooperation on exchange of information and freezing of terrorist assets and criminalisation of terrorist financing.
They also called for robust targeted financial sanctions regimes related to terrorism and terrorist financing, including through swift implementation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards in all jurisdictions.
“We will continue to implement relevant FATF (Financial Action Task Force) recommendations and instruments. We call on FATF to identify measures, including pertaining to legal framework, to strengthen combating of terrorism financing and targeted financial sanctions and implementation thereof,” the statement said.
The Antalya Declaration also touched on the global migration problem while calling on all countries to cooperate to resolve it.
The G20 leaders resolved to work together to prevent and suppress terrorist acts in “accordance with UN Charter and obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, as well as through the full implementation of the relevant international conventions, UN Security Council Resolutions and the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.”
“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the heinous terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13 and in Ankara on October 10. They are an unacceptable affront to all humanity.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims of terrorist attacks and their families. We reaffirm our solidarity and resolve in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and wherever it occurs,” the statement said.
The leaders said they remained united in combating terrorism.
“The spread of terrorist organisations and significant rise globally in acts of terrorism directly undermine the maintenance of international peace and security and endangers our ongoing efforts to strengthen the global economy and ensure sustainable growth and development.”
The G20 leaders said counter terrorism actions must continue to be part of a comprehensive approach based on addressing the conditions conducive to terrorism as stipulated in UN Security Council.
The approach should also include countering violent extremism, combating radicalisation and recruitment, hampering terrorist movements, countering terrorist propaganda and to prevent terrorists from exploiting technology, communications and resources to incite terrorist acts, including through the Internet.
“The direct or indirect encouragement of terrorism, the incitement of terrorist acts and glorification of violence must be prevented. We recognise the need at all levels to work proactively to prevent violent extremism and support civil society in engaging youth and promoting inclusion of all members of society,” the statement said.
The G20 leaders expressed concern over the acute and growing flow of foreign terrorist fighters and the threat it poses for all States, including countries of origin, transit and destination.
“We are resolved to address this threat by enhancing our cooperation and developing relevant measures to prevent and tackle this phenomenon, including operational information- sharing, border management to detect travel, preventive measures and appropriate criminal justice response. We will work together to strengthen global aviation security,” the G20 said.
Meanwhile, Government will soon bring a new law on public procurement to check corruption and domestic black money, Modi said while seeking greater global cooperation for return of illicit money stashed abroad.
He also said that the barriers of excessive banking secrecy must be removed and all countries should implement a Common Reporting Standard based on Automatic Exchange of Tax Information for better cooperation on such matters.
Modi said India has “zero tolerance for corruption and black money” and listed out efforts including a new law to deal with the undisclosed assets kept abroad and the newly- launched drive against domestic illicit wealth.
“We need greater international cooperation for return of illicit money to the country of origin. We must address the barriers of excessive banking secrecy, and complex legal and regulatory frameworks,” he said in his intervention at a working session at G20 Summit on ‘Enhancing Resilience’.
“We have also launched an effective drive against domestic unaccounted money. We will soon bring out a legislation on public procurement,” Modi said.
Appreciating the G20 for its successful efforts to build a more resilient and open global financial system, he said “it is an essential foundation of growth and stability in the global economy.”
In India, he said the government and the Central Bank, are taking steps to further strengthen the financial and banking sector.
Modi said that higher capital requirements should not become a constraint on promoting financial inclusion or functioning of the banking sector in developing countries.
“Indeed, effective supervision and better use of technology can reduce capital requirements,” Modi said, adding that cyber security is important for the protection of the banking infrastructure.
Modi also said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) should remain a quota based institution and not depend on borrowed resources.
“I hope that the ratification of the reforms of 2010 in the United States would be completed at the earliest,” he said.
Modi also appreciated the Turkish Presidency for delivering the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) package within the agreed timeframe.
He said he looks forward to collective action to implement the Automatic Exchange of Information initiative.
“In India, my Government has zero tolerance on corruption and black money. We have enacted a new law to deal with undisclosed assets and income kept abroad. We have also entered into a number of bilateral tax treaties,” he said.
As on March 18, 2015, 58 jurisdictions (including India) have committed to share information under Automatic Exchange of Information by 2017. A further 36 jurisdictions have committed to share by 2018, including jurisdictions which have beneficial tax regime.
India, Modi said, has also launched an effective drive against domestic unaccounted money.
“We will soon bring out a legislation on public procurement. To strengthen international efforts, all countries should implement the Common Reporting Standard based on Automatic Exchange of Tax Information,” he said.
G20 must continue to give priority on combating corruption, Modi said, while appreciating the efforts by the private sector in promoting transparency and integrity.
Modi also pitched for deepening cooperation against terrorism financing, including through targeted financial sanctions and more effective counter-terrorism financing tools.
“Country specific reports of FATF (Financial Action Task Force) should be shared and FATF should work out a mechanism to work with deficient countries,” Modi added. (PTI)
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