Ministers Emphasise Cooperation to Combat Global Terrorism

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosting a ministerial luncheon, attended by Ministers and their representatives, on the sidelines of the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted 24 visiting Ministers and their representatives to a luncheon today, in conjunction with the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue. The ministerial luncheon has been a regular feature of the Shangri-La Dialogue since it was initiated in 2002. It provides a valuable platform for the Ministers to engage in open and meaningful discussions on key regional and international security issues.

The Ministers exchanged views on a wide range of issues and had an in-depth discussion on the global threat of terrorism and tensions in the Korean Peninsula.

The Ministers acknowledged terrorism as a clear and present threat that no country can singlehandedly manage given its amorphous and transboundary nature. The Ministers discussed the threat of home-grown terrorists, Islamophobia, the danger of marginalising moderate Muslims, and the battle of ideology against ISIS. They emphasised that international and regional cooperation was necessary in order to effectively prevent terrorists from gaining a foothold in this region, especially given the threat of returning fighters. They agreed that it is important to address the root causes of terrorism, such as the marginalisation of disenfranchised individuals, in order to find sustainable solutions.

On tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the Ministers agreed that they needed to be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law, and required the commitment of all concerned parties. The Ministers also commended the success of the Shangri-La Dialogue as a valuable platform that brings countries together for a frank exchange of ideas and best practices to address security challenges.