| Danial Norjidi |
CANADA announced new security and safety initiatives in the Asean region worth more than CAN$17 million yesterday.
In a press release, the High Commission of Canada in Brunei Darussalam shared that initiatives were announced by Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, during his participation at the Asean-Canada Post-Ministerial Conference in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
These seven projects support initiatives across the Asean region to enhance counter-terrorism measures; to prevent, deter and combat human smuggling; to strengthen biological and nuclear security; and to bolster resilience in the face of humanitarian disasters.
It was explained that the investment in new capacity-building assistance to Asean member states will enhance their ability to combat terrorism and to reduce the devastating impact of human smuggling and the threats posed by nuclear proliferation and man-made or naturally occurring biological pathogens.
In making the announcement, Minister Dion said, “Canada is committed to expanding relations with Asean and playing a more active role in Southeast Asia. With these initiatives, Canada is taking concrete steps to enhance its partnership with the region, and to promote sustainable development in Southeast Asia.
Photo shows Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (R) with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. – HIGH COMMISSION OF CANADA TO BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
The press release goes on to share that this investment in new capacity-building assistance to Asean member states will enhance their ability to combat terrorism by, among other things, providing further training to law enforcement officials and strengthening border security.
Canada will also be contributing US$225,000 over four years to be implemented by partner Oxfam International.
This project will support the Asean Secretariat in increasing replicable programmes and models of community-building resilience across the region.
It aligns with the Asean agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response Work Programme 2016-2020. Additionally, in 2017, Canada will co-chair and host the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) Defence Officials’ Dialogue and ARF Inter-sessional Support Group Meeting on Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy.
These meetings facilitate security and defence cooperation in Asia and bring together representatives from the 27 ARF countries to discuss pressing international security issues.
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