The UN Security Council on Monday at a meeting chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin unanimously adopted a resolution on the protection of critical infrastructure (2341).

"The draft resolution No. 2341 dated 2017 has been unanimously adopted […] In our view, the resolution, just adopted, is a timely response by the international community to the new rapidly evolving threat of terrorism. This is a crucial step on the road to global preparedness to resist terrorist attacks on objects of vital infrastructure and cooperation on these issues," Klimkin said at the meeting.

According to the draft, the resolution provides for the need to introduce criminal responsibility for acts of terrorism aimed at the destruction or decontamination of critical infrastructure.

"The protection of critical infrastructure is vital to national security, public safety and the economic development of all States. Terrorist attacks on these facilities and services can significantly disrupt the functioning of societies and bring about massive human suffering. This resolution sends a strong message from the Security Council to the international community to give serious consideration to this issue," Klimkin said.

In addition, the Security Council encourages countries to raise awareness of states on terrorist threats, strengthen resistance of critical infrastructure to terrorist attacks, strengthen the capacity of public and private sector, strengthen international and regional cooperation, as well as strengthen the open exchange of information between all stakeholders and law enforcement agencies.

As reported, Ukraine has started to chair the Security Council of the United Nations since February 1. It is planned that the protection of critical infrastructure issue will be considered under the presidency of Ukraine on February 13. The settlement of conflicts in Europe will be considered on February 21.