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2007/SOM3/CTTF/005
Agenda Item:V.A
Singapore's 2007 Executive Summary for APEC Counter-Terrorism Task Force
Purpose: Information
Submitted by: Singapore
/ Counter Terrorism Task Force Meeting Cairns, Australia30 June-1 July 20071
Singapore's 2007 Executive Summary for APEC Counter-Terrorism Task Force
Enhancing Secure Trade
Singapore has taken various measures to protect the security of cargo, ships, aviation and people engaged in trade. These include measures that comply with the security standards stipulated under the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code and Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. To strike a good balance between facilitating trade/travel and ensuring a robust security regime at the checkpoints, Singaporeadopts a mix of technology, streamlining of procedures and measures to conduct security screening in a non-intrusive and secured manner. For instance, an automated 100% Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) system has been installed in Singapore's ChangiAirport to enhance the security level and passenger facilitation at the airport. Singapore has also introduced International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-compliant biometric passports on 15 August 2006as an integral part of our overall security efforts in ensuring the integrity and security of the Singapore passport.
Singapore is spearheading the work on total supply chain security in the Asia-Pacific region. We have developed our own national supply chain security programme, called the Secure Trade Partnership (STP). Launched on 25 May 07, the STP is a voluntary certification programme administered by Singapore Customs to help companies adopt robust security measures to enhance the security of the global supply chain. The STP is consistent with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade. In 2007, Singapore also led a study group of experts from 10 APEC economies to study ways to facilitate the recovery of trade in the event of a major disruption to the global supply chain.
Singaporealso cooperates closely with other countries to enhance the level of international maritime and aviation security. For instance, Singapore has signed and ratified the ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia) and will host the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre to facilitate information-sharing relating to piracy/sea robbery and associated economic impact analysis, as well as to enhance cooperation on anti-piracy efforts in Asia.
Eliminate Danger Posed by WMDs
Singapore strongly supports measures that seek to bring about a peaceful world environment through disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Singapore has signed onto the key international non-proliferation treaties. They are the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Singapore also participates in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) against the global proliferation of WMD.
MANPADS: In response to the commitment by APEC economies in 2005, Singapore has conducted a comprehensive MANPADS Airport Vulnerability Assessment at its international airport in the first half of 2006. Singapore has also introduced measures to reduce the possibility of a MANPADS attack in and around the international airport following our first vulnerability assessment in 2003.
Export Controls: As part of our efforts to help curb the proliferation of WMD and support global efforts, Singapore has implemented a robust and enhanced export control system. Besides a Control List, our export control system has several important features, such as brokering controls, controls on intangible transfers of technology and a "catch-all" provision in our Strategic Goods (Control) Act. The "catch-all" provision allows our authorities to enforce export control laws on items that are intended for WMD-end use but are not included in our Control List. To further strengthen our export controls system, Singapore announced its decision in September 2006 to expand our strategic goods control list to include all items controlled under the four multilateral export control regimes, namely the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement, with effect from January 2008. To minimise the potential impact of the expansion of the control list on legitimate trade, Singapore will be introducing an enhanced permit.
IAEA:Singapore is committed to promoting nuclear non-proliferation and supports a strengthened safeguards regime. In this regard, Singapore signed the IAEA Additional Protocol in September 2005.
Take Appropriate Financial Counter-Terrorism Measures
Further to Singapore's ratification of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, the Convention came into force in January 2003. Singapore has also taken a broad series of legislative measures to comply with requirements of the UN resolutions relating to the prevention and suppression of the financing of terrorist acts, particularly UNSC Resolution 1373 and the subsequent UNSC Resolution 1390. In 2003, Singapore's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing enforcement regime was examined against the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force and was assessed to comply well with most of the assessable Financial Action Task Force 40 + 8 recommendations. In 2006, revised Notices on Prevention of Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism were issued to the financial industry, to give effect to the FATF’s 40+9 Recommendations.
Promoting Cyber Security
Singapore has put in place a comprehensive set of substantive and procedural laws to fight cybercrimes. For example, we have in place the Computer Misuse Act, a set of legislation which is consistent with the Convention on Cybercrime. Singapore is part of the G8's 24/7 Contact Points framework that facilitates the prompt exchange of information and mutual assistance relating to cybercrimes. Singapore is also a member of the CTINS (Cybercrime Technology Information Network System), an initiative of the National Policy Agency of Japan which facilitatesinformation-sharing between 20 Asian countries. To create cyber security situational awareness, Singapore has deployed a 24x7 Cyberthreat Monitoring Centre (CWC) to provide pro-active cyberthreat alerts for the government and critical sectors. This improves the overall resilience of critical infocomm infrastructure and fosters cross-border cyber security incident response and collaboration.
Protecting the Health of Communities
Singapore has taken the necessary measures to address the threat posed by infectious diseases. Singapore is a member of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) and fully supports the International Health Regulations 2005, which will come into force on 15 June 07. Singapore supports regional Avian Influenza pandemic preparedness plans, including the APEC Action Plan on Prevention and Response to Avian Influenza Pandemics. In addition, we are the stockpile location for Japan's Avian Flu Assistance package to the ASEAN countries.
Singapore's measures also include strengthening our public health infrastructure to detect, respond and prevent disease outbreaks and bio-terrorism. Singapore also has in place a regulatory framework for the biosafety and biosecurity of dangerous biological agents and toxins, covering areas such as import/export control, safe handling and transport, and physical security.
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