Hi-tech terror threat warned at ASEAN-Australia Special Summit
Australian Home Affair Minister Peter Dutton on March 17 named use of encrypted messaging apps to plot terrorist attacks the greatest threat faced by intelligence agencies in modern times in his remarks at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit that is underway in Sydney.
Australian Home Affair Minister Peter Dutto. (Photo: AAP)
Sydney (VNA) – Australian HomeAffair Minister Peter Dutton on March 17 named use of encrypted messaging appsto plot terrorist attacks the greatest threat faced by intelligence agencies inmodern times in his remarks at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit that isunderway in Sydney.
The use of the “dark web” by extremists andother criminals is increasing, Dutton noted, adding that they are usingencrypted messaging apps to avoid detection by police and intelligenceagencies.
He stressed that the only way to tackle thethreat and the increasing use of the Internet by terrorist groups like IslamicState to radicalize and recruit new members was together.
It would be a mistake to approach the problemfrom a national perspective as terrorism and violent extremism transcendnational borders, the minister said. Countering the threat requires a unitedand cohesive regional effort involving coordination between national securityand law enforcement agencies, he added.
Australia has been helping Southeast Asianstates deal with terrorist financing and counter violent extremism.
The two sides signed a memorandum ofunderstanding at the summit, with an agreement to pool cyber intelligence andpolice resources across the region for the first time.
The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, the firstof its kind, opened in Sydney on March 16, in the presence of Turnbull andleaders of ten ASEAN nations including Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Themed “Enhancing Regional Security and Prosperity”, the event is expected todiscuss issues related to regional security, economic relations as well ascounter-terrorism measures so as to further tighten the relationship betweenAustralia and ASEAN.
The ASEAN-Australia Business Summit, the International Counter-TerrorismConference and a plenary meeting of senior leaders are scheduled to take placewithin the framework of the three-day event.
ASEAN and Australia set up relations in 1974.Australia was the first nation establishing official dialogue partnership withASEAN in all three fields of politics, economics and specialisedcooperation.-VNA
The Vietnamese Government pledges to maintain the stable macro environment, continue improving the institutional quality and State government, and boosting the rule of law, for foreign businesses, especially those from Australia, to land investment and expand operation in Vietnam, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on March 17 announced Australia will provide an investment of 30 million AUD (23.4 million USD) to support “smart cities” in Southeast Asia.
Officials of Australia and the ASEAN member states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strengthening cooperation to counter international terrorism in Sydney, Australia on March 17.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Australian Home Affair Minister Peter Dutto. (Photo: AAP) 
