body of international obligations
relating to counterterrorism. Twelve universal conventions and
protocols in force against terrorism have been developed under the
auspices of the United Nations as well as various U.N. Security Council
Resolutions related to combating terror. These include UNSCR 1373,
which imposes binding obligations on all states to suppress and prevent
terrorist financing, improve their border controls, enhance information
sharing and law enforcement cooperation, suppress the recruitment of
terrorists, and deny them sanctuary.

The Group of Eight (G-8) along with other multilateral and regional
bodies also have been instrumental in developing landmark
counterterrorism standards and best practices that have been adopted by
international standard-setting organizations. But our obligations are
not static. We will collaborate with our partners to update and tailor
international obligations to meet the evolving nature of the terrorist
enemies and threats we face. We also will work to ensure that each
country is both willing and able to meet its counterterrorist
responsibilities. Finally, we will not just continually monitor whether
we and the community of nations are meeting these standards but will
evaluate if we are achieving results both individually and collectively.

--+_Strengthen coalitions and partnerships_+. Since September 11, most
of our important successes against al-Qaida and other terrorist
organizations have been made possible through effective partnerships.
Continued success depends on the actions of a powerful coalition of
nations maintaining a united front against terror. Multilateral groups
such as the International Maritime Organization and the International
Civil Aviation Organization, as well as regional organizations such as
the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Organization of American
States, NATO, the European Union, the African Union, and the
Association of South East Asia Nations, among others, are essential
elements of this front.

We will ensure that such international cooperation is an enduring
feature of the long war we will fight. We will continue to leverage the
comparative advantage of these institutions and organizations--drawing
on what each does best in counterterrorism, from setting standards to
developing regional strategies to providing forums for training and
education. Indeed, a significant part of this effort includes expanding
partnership capacity. We a