Every APEC Member Economy has now completed a Counter Terrorism Action Plan that records the measures they have undertaken to date to implement APEC's counter-terrorism objectives, their capacity building needs and assistance they can offer.
Other APEC measures to protect against the terrorist threat while promoting free trade include the Secure Trade in the APEC Region (STAR) initiative. As part of the STAR Initiative, APEC members have progressed a series of measures to secure cargoes, protect people in transit, strengthen the security of ships and ports, improve airline passenger systems and crew safety and strengthen border controls. The first STAR conference was held in Bangkok in February 2003 and a second conference will be held n Chile in March 2004.
Other counter terrorism initiatives undertaken in APEC economies include:
Assisting members to implement the International Maritime Organisation's new International Ship and Port Security Code.
Reaching agreement for common standards for Advanced Passenger Information systems to enhance border security while facilitating faster processing of legitimate passengers.
The approval of Private Sector Supply Chain Security Guidelines that are being adopted by the business community.
The strengthening of Cyber security through cyber-crime laws and the establishment of Computer Emergency Response Teams in ten APEC economies.
APEC is also working closely with other regional and international organizations on counter terrorism related issues, such as ASEAN, the United Nations Counter Terrorism Committee, the Organisation of American States, the G8's Counter Terrorism Action Group and International Financial Institutions to counter international terrorism.
For Further Information Please Contact:
