UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the world remembers the solidarity, unite and resolve that were expressed two ago by the international community for a future without terrorism, keeping in mind the 9/11 terror attack. His statements come as September 11, 2021, marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

“Today we mark a sombre day seared in the minds of millions of people around the world. A day when nearly 3,000 lives from over 90 countries were taken by terrorists in cowardly and heinous attacks in the United States of America. Thousands more were injured,” Guterres said on Friday.

“And we remember the solidarity, unity and resolve expressed 20 years ago by the international community, aiming for a future without terrorism,” he added. 

The 9/11 attacks planned by al-Qaeda from Afghanistan saw four US passenger jets being hijacked by suicide attackers. Two planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in new York.

While a third plane crashed into the Pentagon, outside the US capital, a fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers stormed the cockpit in an attempt to take the fight to the opposition.

Guterres said the UN pays tribute to the survivors, who have had to overcome physical and emotional scars to get on with their lives and honours the first responders who put themselves in harm’s way.

He underscored that “we recommit ourselves to work together to uphold their rights and needs.”

The members of the UN Security Council on Thursday said that they are as united today as they were two decades ago in their commitment to prevent and counter terrorism in all its forms.

The 15-nation Council issued a press statement on the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, recalling that the Council had quickly condemned the horrifying terrorist attacks two decades ago.

“Today, the members of the Security Council marked this solemn anniversary with a visit to the September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City. The members of the Security Council are as united today as they were 20 years ago in their commitment to prevent and counter terrorism, in all its forms and wherever it occurs, consistent with international law,” the press statement said.

The Permanent Representatives of the 15 Council nations visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 9.