New York, 29 June 2026 – On the first day of the High Level Conference of the 2026 Counter-Terrorism Week, the Permanent Missions of France and India to the 91茄子, the 91茄子 Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the 91茄子 Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and the held a joint side event to examine how terrorists are exploiting emerging financial technologies and to identify priorities for strengthening global responses.
Opening the event, high-level representatives of the co-organizers emphasized that terrorists continue to rapidly adapt their financing methods by exploiting digital platforms, virtual assets, crowdfunding mechanisms, messaging applications, gaming environments, and other emerging technologies. They underscored that these developments require coordinated, risk-based responses grounded in international law, clear legal and regulatory frameworks, and strengthened cooperation among governments, international and regional organizations, the private sector, civil society, humanitarian actors and academia.
In her opening remarks, CTED Executive Director Assistant Secretary-General Natalia Gherman highlighted that recent analytical work by CTED and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), including the co-led by CTED and the French Treasury, demonstrates that understanding evolving terrorist financing risks is a prerequisite for developing effective mitigation measures.
The importance of a comprehensive and risk-based approach to countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) is also explicitly highlighted in the “,” adopted by the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee in early 2025, in accordance with the “Delhi Declaration” on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes in a manner consistent with international law.
The keynote address by FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo reinforced the importance of adapting regulatory and operational frameworks to increasingly sophisticated terrorist financing typologies, including the misuse of social media, encrypted communications, virtual assets and online monetization tools. She emphasized that effective responses require close public-private cooperation while remaining fully consistent with human rights, financial inclusion and data protection principles.
The panel discussion brought together representatives of Member States, international and regional organizations, law enforcement, the private sector, humanitarian organizations and research institutions. Speakers highlighted the growing convergence between terrorism financing and transnational organized crime, the increasing use of artificial intelligence and digital financial ecosystems by terrorist actors, and the need for stronger international cooperation, information-sharing and operational partnerships. Participants also stressed that countering terrorism financing measures should remain targeted, proportionate and risk-based to avoid unintended impacts on legitimate financial activity, humanitarian operations and human rights. The discussion reaffirmed that sustained international cooperation, effective public-private partnerships and a shared understanding of emerging risks remain essential to preventing terrorists from exploiting technological innovation for financial gain.
CTED will continue advancing this work through its forthcoming annual assessment of gaps in countering the financing of terrorism, with a dedicated focus on emerging financial technologies. CTED will also soon launch of a new online reference materials database that will compile international standards, policy guidance, research and analytical resources to support Member States and practitioners in addressing evolving terrorist financing threats.
Resources
The concept note and agenda for the side event are available here.
The transcript of the side event is available .
You can watch the side event .
Photos from the side event are available .
Remarks and presentations shared by the participants:
Reports shared by the participants:
- FATF, “”, June 2026
- INTERPOL, "", March 2026
- Norwegian Refugee Council, “”, January 2026
For more information about CTED’s other events at 2026 Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit this .