Trinidad and Tobago has urged the international community to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, warning that no nation, regardless of its size, is immune from extremist threats.
Speaking at the Fourth United Nations High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism in New York, Minister of Legal Affairs and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Saddam Hosein said modern terrorism has evolved into a borderless challenge fueled by technology, transnational criminal networks and sophisticated financing systems that require a coordinated global response.
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Hosein stressed that Trinidad and Tobago’s relatively small size does not shield it from the threat of terrorism.
“Geographically, Trinidad and Tobago is a dot in the world… But this teaches us one thing. We are not too big or we are not too small for a threat. We must always be vigilant and ready,” he said, referencing the country’s experience with the 1990 attempted coup.
He told delegates that terrorism cannot be effectively addressed by any single country, institution or sector acting alone, calling instead for a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach that strengthens international partnerships.
Hosein also urged governments to ensure that counter-terrorism measures are implemented with cultural and religious sensitivity, warning that communities should not feel unfairly targeted or marginalized during security operations. He pointed to Trinidad and Tobago’s diverse population, where people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds coexist peacefully, as an example of the importance of maintaining social cohesion.
Highlighting Trinidad and Tobago’s election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, Hosein pledged that the country would use its upcoming role to advance the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
He also outlined the country’s domestic efforts to combat terrorism, including criminalizing terrorist acts and their financing, strengthening border security, implementing targeted financial sanctions, and complying with international standards established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
“As we work collectively towards a safer and more secure world, let us reaffirm our shared responsibility to confront terrorism through cooperation, solidarity, and decisive action,” Hosein told the conference.
