From 2 to 6 November 2026, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), conducted on behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee an assessment visit to the Republic of North Macedonia to follow up on the previous visits, which took place in 2006 and 2011. CTED conducts these visits to assess Member States’ counter-terrorism efforts, including progress made, remaining challenges, and priority areas for technical assistance needs, as well as to identify terrorism-related trends and challenges and good practices employed in the implementation of and other relevant Security Council resolutions.
The visiting delegation was led by Ms. Carmen G. Cantor, Deputy Executive Director of CTED, and comprised of CTED experts and representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The visit was also conducted back-to-back with the assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 26 to 30 October 2026 as part of a regional visit to the Western Balkans.
During the visit to North Macedonia, the expert discussions focused on counter-terrorism legislation and criminal justice responses to terrorism; international cooperation in criminal matters; measures taken to counter the financing of terrorism; law enforcement; border management; aviation security; measures to counter violent extremism conducive to terrorism; and implementation of national integrated and comprehensive strategies on countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism. The human rights aspects of North Macedonia’s counter-terrorism measures and the role of women in countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism were also raised during the discussions.
The delegation also visited Skopje International Airport and the Tabanovce border crossing point, where it received briefings on relevant operational measures and practices.
In accordance with Security Council resolutions and , the delegation engaged with representatives of civil society. It also met with representatives of the United Nations Country Team, the OSCE and the European Union to exchange views on ongoing efforts to support the Republic of North Macedonia in strengthening its counter-terrorism capacities.
Country assessment visits remain a vital mechanism through which the Counter-Terrorism Committee engages with Member States, assesses progress, identifies technical assistance needs and supports the effective implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and international counter-terrorism standards.
Photos from the visit are available .