General view of the launch meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism (photo courtesy of UN)
Egypt's Ambassador to the United Nations Mohamed Idris stressed on the need to give attention to the victims of terrorism and their families and the importance of not ignoring their sacrifices.
Idris' remarks came during his participation in the meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism (GFVT) that was held in New York at the UN headquarters on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian foreign ministry.
Idris represented Egypt in the meeting as a founding country of the GFVT.
With the participation of UN Secretary General António Guterres and First Under-Secretary-General of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office Vladimir Ivanovich Voronkov, the meeting was dedicated to the launch of the group and announcing the start of its work.
Idris focused on the need for the US, the United Nations and the international community as a whole to treat the rights of victims of terrorism as a top priority.
The Egyptian ambassador also reviewed during the meeting the efforts Egypt and its various institutions exert to protect the rights of the victims of terrorism and their relatives.
On the other hand, Guterres expressed his pleasure to join the launch of the GFVT.
The UN Secretary General said that due to the fact that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations remains a global and transnational challenge," protecting the rights of victims of terrorism becomes one of the priorities of the UN.
"Through its leadership role at the United Nations, this group can ensure that victims’ voices are heard, their rights protected, and their recovery and rehabilitation needs addressed," Guterres said.
The Egyptian mission to the UN has been involved for several months in the efforts and consultations of founding the GFVT, in light of Egypt's keenness to shed more light, provide support and promote the importance of protecting the rights of victims of terrorism.
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