ASEAN Regional Forum Intersessional Support Group Meeting Ottawa, April 3-4, 2008

ARF CTTC Workplan Proposal Focus efforts on core areas where ARF can add most value. Simplify and consolidate activities to reduce burden on members. Ensure complementarity with other regional organizations and efforts. Enhance institutional support to ensure sustainability. Devise flexible procedures, subject to guidance from Ministers and Senior Officials.

ARF CTTC Cooperation ARF successfully has formed regional consensus: o on the nature of CTTC threats o that regional cooperation is required to address these serious challenges. ARF has identified CTTC areas for cooperation –goals and commitments. CTTC workshops and seminars held on: o Maritime security o Illicit drugs o Terrorist financing o Cyber security o Inter-civilization Dialogue

Current Challenges While ARF can be a useful venue for exploring new areas of CTTC-related cooperation, ARF cannot do everything in every area. Need to avoid gaps and duplication. UN, ASEAN, APEC, other regional/functional groups and organizations also are undertaking regional CTTC activities. CTTC challenges require organized, efficient and institutionalized approach, not ad hoc support.

Way Forward “ Focused and coordinated CTTC strategy needed.”  ARF Unit Report on “Cooperation Framework on Counter- Terrorism and Transnational Crime” Need “concrete and practical cooperation and in particular capacity-building.”  5 th ARF ISM on CTTC Co-chairs Statement Ensure member resources well used and not duplicative – avoid “meeting fatigue.” Institutionalization – a long-term goal. Workplan: Create a coordinated, vetted, and long- term ARF CTTC strategy.  6 th ISM-CTTC expressed “preliminary support”

U.S. Proposal Objectives Help ARF participants meet their existing CTTC- related national, regional, and international commitments. Focus ARF’s work on concrete, capacity-building efforts and technical assistance. Complement existing initiatives and other regional activities. Simplify and consolidate ARF activities to reduce burden. (Other regional organizations – OSCE, OAS, and APEC currently have workplans.)

CTTC Workplan Concept Identify two to four Core Areas to focus capacity- building work in priority CTTC areas. o Core Areas focus, but not exclusive – other CTTC efforts can address emerging threats. Emphasis on: o Capacity-building workshops o Training courses o Joint exercises o Pilot projects o Technical assistance.

CTTC Workplan Concept Voluntary Lead Countries (1 ASEAN, 1 non-ASEAN) coordinate CTTC activities for each core area. o Co-Sponsors: Propose additional projects. Reinforce ARF Unit o Increase administrative and technical support to the ISM-CTTC and projects. Annual ISM-CTTC experts’ review of workplan, with modifications and updates as needed. o ISM-CTTC experts should help coordinate ARF’s CTTC work.

Core Areas Limited to few where ARF can add most value. Criteria: o Where is assistance and sharing of information/best practices most needed for these security threats? o What areas are not being covered by other groups or activities? o What resources do ARF members have to contribute? Initial U.S. suggestions: o Biodefense o Maritime Security o Others? U.S. does not have fixed view, welcomes discussion of proposals.

Proposed Timing: A Two-Year Plan January-February 2008: 1st Draft Circulated and Discussed at ISM-CTTC. April 30, 2008: Comments to 2 nd Draft Due. May-July 2008: SOM/Ministerial endorsement and approval of Workplan framework – concept paper, initial core areas, and leadership/management structure. Fall 2008 ISG : Inter-sessional selection of CTTC core area sponsors by the ARF Chair. Spring 2009 CTTC-ISM: In-depth Review of capacity-building projects and proposals within the endorsed core areas. Spring 2009 ISG: Review and recommend proposals for core area activities. Revise Workplan further if necessary. Summer 2009 SOM and Ministerial: Endorse and Approve recommended projects and complete Workplan. Projects may begin.

Questions?