Thursday, 1 July 2021, 4:09 pm Despite “significant progress” in the fight against terrorism, the UN counter-terrorismchief warned on Wednesday that amidst new and more diverse threats, COVID-19 has triggered increased activity throughout many countries. Vladimir Voronkov, head of the UNOffice ofCounter-Terrorism(OCT), concluded the Second High-level Conferenceof Heads ofCounter-Terrorism, by summing up four of the strategic challenges facing the world today. He underscored the need for “inclusive, forward-looking, evidence-based approaches to build resilience”, in the face of the ISIL legacy in Iraq and Syria; terrorist threats in Africa; tackling transnational risks sparked by various forms of intolerance; and the need to upgrade technology and know-how to counter the