ASEAN steps up terrorism fight in digital age

Wednesday, 25/06/2025

The Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter‑Terrorism (SEARCCT) under Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an international conference in Kuala Lumpur on June 24.

Representatives of ASEAN member countries pose for a photo at the opening ceremony of the 25th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) and its related meetings

Themed “emerging trends in terrorism and violent extremism”, the event drew over 200 participants from domestic and international agencies, discussing the rapid evolution of terrorism and the need for stronger regional and global cooperation.

Addressing the event, the ministry's Deputy Secretary-General Dato’ Ahmad Rozian Bin Abd. Ghani stressed the conference aligns with ASEAN security priorities while underlining Malaysia’s pioneering role in promoting regional stability via counter-terrorism initiatives.

The conference reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to implementing cooperation plans, including the PoA‑PCRVE for 2018–2025, Bali Work Plan for 2019–2025), and the ASEAN Community 2045 vision.

The three-day conference features five panel discussions on key and emerging issues related to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), including the evolution of online radicalisation, technological shifts, and the role of artificial intelligence in terrorism and PCVE.

Other topics included the growing prevalence of lone actors and small cell tactics in the region, digital disinformation, social fragmentation, and regional approaches to PCVE encompassing policy, practice and collaboration./.

VNA

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ASEAN