We, the Heads of State and Government of the Russian Federation and African States recognized by the United Nations (UN) (hereinafter also referred to as the Russian Federation and African States), and representatives of the African Union and Africa’s leading integration organizations, gathered on 28 July 2023 in Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) to participate in the Second Russia-Africa Summit,
Committed to the fundamental principles and norms of international law, including those provided by the UN Charter, and stressing the need for a strict compliance with them by all States,
Recognizing the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Russian Federation and African States in the fight against terrorism,
Reaffirming the primary responsibility of States and their respective national institutions dealing with counterterrorism, and emphasizing that strengthening the capacity of States to prevent and counter terrorism is one of the core elements of effective counterterrorism efforts,
Recognizing the central and coordinating role of the United Nations in developing universal and mutually acceptable approaches in the field of combating terrorism,
Concerned about the continued spread of terrorism, violent extremism conducive to terrorism and radicalization especially in Africa where the threat of terrorism has expanded and now affects all the five regions of the continent,
Acting in accordance with the norms of the national legislation of the Russian Federation and that of African States, declare the following:
1. We strongly and unequivocally condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as well as all terrorist acts, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed.
2. We call on the international community to combine efforts in eliminating terrorist threats, with the central and coordinating role of the UN in this regard.
3. We stand for a strict compliance with the existing regional and universal international legal frameworks on counterterrorism, including the universal anti-terrorism treaties and relevant UN Security Council resolutions on international terrorism, as well as the guidance provided by the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and stress the importance of comprehensive cooperation with the relevant UN and African Union bodies in combating terrorism.
4. We reaffirm that all States shall ensure that any individual, group or entity involved in financing, planning, preparing for or committing terrorist acts or in supporting terrorist acts, is brought to justice. The national legislation shall qualify such actions as sufficiently serious criminal acts allowing for their prosecution and punishment to the extent that duly reflects the danger posed by them.
5. We reaffirm our commitment to counter extremist ideologies and we believe that all terrorist acts are to be condemned regardless of their motivation. In this regard, we consider it important to expand dialogue and understanding and promote tolerance between different nationalities, ethnic and religious groups in order to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies engaging in this task, where necessary, civil society.
6. We underscore the importance of increased support for children, youth and women affected by terrorism.
7. We emphasize the importance of strengthening cooperation in combating the involvement of young people in the activities of terrorist structures, and stress the need for coordinated and urgent measures to counter the spread of radical and destructive ideas among the younger generation, including the prevention and suppression of terrorist propaganda, incitement to terrorism, as well as recruitment, including through the Internet.
8. We stress the importance, in terms of terrorism prevention, of ensuring favourable social and economic conditions and creating opportunities for education, self-expression and self-realization, as well as for unlocking creative potential.
9. We recognise the imperative of adequate, sustainable and predictable financing for counterterrorism efforts on the African Continent.
10. We deem it necessary to develop cooperation in preventing and suppressing terrorism both in multilateral formats (primarily within the UN), regionally and bilaterally as well as in enhancing collaboration between the UN and regional arrangements and, as appropriate, between the UN and individual countries.