APEC Leaders Statement on Counter-terrorism
SHANGHAI, October 21 -- Following is the full text of the
APEC Leaders Statement on Counter-terrorism:
October 21, 2001
APEC Leaders Statement on Counter-terrorism
- Leaders unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms
the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11,
2001, and express their deepest sympathy and condolences to
the victims of a large number of nationalities and their families
and to the people and Government of the United States of America.
- Leaders consider the murderous deeds as well as other
terrorist acts in all forms and manifestations, committed wherever,
whenever and by whomsoever as a profound threat to the peace,
prosperity and security of all people, of all faiths, of all
nations. Terrorism is also a direct challenge to APEC's vision
of free, open and prosperous economies, and to the fundamental
values that APEC members hold.
- Leaders reaffirm that it is more important than ever
for every economy to forge ahead in its commitment in achieving
Boger's goal of free, open trade and investment.
- Leaders deem it imperative to strengthen international
cooperation at all levels in combating terrorism in a comprehensive
manner and affirm that UN should play a major role in this regard,
especially taking into account the importance of all relevant
UN resolutions.
- Leaders commit to prevent and suppress all forms of
terrorist acts in the future in accordance with the Charter
of the United Nations and other international law, pledge to
implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1368 and 1373 faithfully
and immediately, strongly support all efforts to strengthen
the international anti-terrorism regime, call for increased
cooperation to bring perpetrators to justice, and also call
for early signing and ratification of all basic universal anti-terrorist
conventions including the International Convention for the Suppression
of the Financing of Terrorism.
- Leaders are determined to enhance counter-terrorism
cooperation in line with specific circumstances in their respective
economies, through:
- Appropriate financial measures to prevent the flow of
funds to terrorists, including accelerating work on combating
financial crimes through APEC Finance Ministers' working Group
on Fighting Financial Crime and increasing involvement in related
international standard-setting bodies;
- Adherence by all economies to relevant international
requirements for the security of air and maritime transportation.
Leaders call on Transport Ministers to actively take part in
the discussions on enhancing airport, aircraft, and port security,
achieve effective outcomes as early as possible, and assure
full implementation and cooperation in this regard;
- Strengthening of energy security in the region through
the mechanism of the APEC Energy Security Initiative, which
examines measures to respond to temporary supply disruptions
and longer-term challenges facing the region's energy supply;
- Strengthening of APEC activities in the area of critical
sector protection, including telecommunications, transportation,
health and energy.
- Enhancement of customs communication networks and expeditious
development of a global integrated electronic customs network,
which would allow customs authorities to better enforce laws
while minimizing the impact on the flow of trade.
- Cooperation to develop electronic movement records systems
that will enhance border security while ensuring movement of
legitimate travelers is not disrupted.
- Strengthening capacity building and economic and technical
cooperation to enable member economies to put into place and
enforce effective counter-terrorism measures.
- Cooperation to limit the economic fallout from the attacks
and move to restore economic confidence in the region through
policies and measures to increase economic growth as well as
ensure stable environment for trade, investment, travel and
tourism.
- Leaders also pledge to cooperate fully to ensure that
international terrorism does not disrupt economies and markets,
through close communication and cooperation among economic policy
and financial authorities.
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