Programs & Events
Conference on Security Challenges Associated with terrorism in Southeast Asia
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
August 17th, 2009
On August 17th, U.S. Ambassador Carol A. Rodley and Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen gave the opening remarks at the beginning of a four day comprehensive course focused on Security challenges in Southeast Asia. The course, held in Phnom Penh from August 17th through August 21st, focused on addressing the principal security challenges associated with the evolving dynamic of terrorism in Southeast Asia. The course, co-hosted by the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) and the Cambodian National Counter-Terrorism Committee, was designed to complement the APCSS’ existing CSRT resident course program, but was held in-region and aimed at informing a higher, more attuned audience composed of senior-level Counter Terrorism (CT) practitioners. The Courses participants include experts and representatives from over 9 different Southeast Asian Countries including: Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, and Brunei.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Rodley stated that, “Terrorism remains a very real threat to the safety of individuals and the stability of states across Southeast Asia.” Additionally, Ambassador Rodley said, “terrorism is not merely a military problem. It is a multi-dimensional threat which cuts across governmental, economic, social, and religious divides.”
The Conference, which was concluded on August 21st in a closing ceremony presided over by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Sok Ann, was created as an aid towards identifying effective ways and means to enhance existing cooperative efforts in Southeast Asia to detect and defeat terrorist acts, both at the international and regional levels, particularly with respect to deterring, interdicting and managing extremist political violence that poses a direct challenge to effective regional governance.
In one of Ambassador Rodley’s final comments at the opening, she stated that, “this seminar is but one example of the commitment of the United States to the peace and security of Cambodia, all the states of Southeast Asia, and indeed the Asia Pacific region. All good nations must stand together as partners to fight the threat of terrorism.”
