October 21, 2001
APEC Leaders
Statement on Counter-terrorism
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7.
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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