Counter Terrorism Action Plans
Counter Terrorism Action Plans were developed in 2003 as a tool for tracking the progress of economies in implementing Leaders' directions on APEC's security and counter-terrorism related work program, and for identifying the capacity building assistance required by member economies to implement these measures.

Secure Trade in the APEC Region (STAR)
One of APEC's key counter-terrorism priorities is the Secure Trade in the APEC Region (STAR) initiative, which aims to secure and enhance the flow of goods and people through measures that protect cargo, ships, international aviation and people in transit. STAR programs are designed to include the private sector, in recognition of the fact that the engagement and active participation of business is fundamental to the success of APEC's secure trade agenda. Annual APEC STAR Conference have been organised since 2003. The conferences bring executives and government officials together to identify impediments to and solutions for promoting trade efficiency while ensuring security.

CTTF activities 2012

The 27th CTTF meeting was held on May 24-25 in Kazan, Russia. Key issues of the meeting included:

• On capacity building programs: The ‘Friends of the Chair group’ circulated a non-paper, containing recommendations to improve the CTTF’s monitoring and evaluation process. CTTF members approved the non-paper and agreed to maintain the Friends of the Chair Group who will work with the Secretariat to oversee the application of the recommendations to new or existing CTTF projects. To avoid any duplication of efforts, the CTTF will continue to communicate with the Budget and Management Committee (BMC) which is also working on project evaluation. 

• CTTF members approved by consensus the nomination of Indonesia (Ambassador Purwanto) for the CTTF Chairmanship period of 2013-2014. The position of Vice Chair remains open and any economies interested in this position should contact the Secretariat.

PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES

3rd APEC Workshop on Counter-Terrorism Finance and the Non-Profit Organization (NPO) Sector (self-funded). Malaysia and the United States implemented the CTTF workshop on the misuse of Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) for terrorist financing in Kuala Lumpur on January 30-31, 2012.

3rd APEC workshop on Air Cargo Security. Vietnam organized the 3rd APEC Workshop on Air Cargo Security, which was held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 18-19, 2012.

APEC Bus Anti-Terrorism Workshop (self-funded). A Bus Anti-Terrorism Workshop, co-sponsored by the Philippines and the United States, was held in Manila on 10-11 July 2012.

Regional Food Defense Workshop and Food Defense capacity building programs (self funded). The United States updated CTTF members on its food defense program of work, including two regional food defense events, which were implemented in Bangkok since the last CTTF meeting.

Combating Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering" Australia is working on a self-funded joint CTTF and Anti-Corruption and Transparency Working Group (ACT) project proposal entitled "Combating Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering."

Joint TPTWG AEG-SEC/CTTF APEC Aviation Security Canine Screening Workshop (self-funded). The United States is working on the “APEC Aviation Security Canine Screening Workshop,” a joint implementation project between the Transportation Working Group (TPTWG), Aviation Experts Group (AEG), and the SEC/CTTF.

The United States is working on a concept for a multi-year APEC project on Trade Recovery Communications Mechanisms. The project would be a joint initiative between the CTTF, the Business Mobility Group (BMG), and the Sub-Committee on Customs Procedure (SCCP).

The 26th CTTF meeting was held on 7-8 February 2012 in Moscow, Russia. Key issues discussed included:

• Adoption of two aviation security workshop proposals: Low Cost/No Cost Security and Checkpoint Optimization and Canine Explosives Detection.

• Completion of the 2011 Counter-Terrorism Action Plan (CTAP) summary report. Sixteen economies presented their reports.

• CTTF-1 also featured a Policy Dialogue on Supply Chain Security, in which CTTF members were joined by representatives from the World Customs Organization, United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures, APEC Business Mobility Group, and APEC Transportation Working Group’s Maritime Security Experts Group. The presentations and discussion focused on identifying security gaps and vulnerabilities in the regional and global supply chain, as well as employing risk assessment tools to effectively address security challenges.

CTTF activities 2011

The 25th CTTF meeting was held in San Francisco, California in September 2011. Key issues discussed include:

• Members presented their Counter-Terrorism Action Plans (CTAP) updates. Fifteen economies presented their reports, highlighting the need for capacity building and for informing members about their progress and achievements in implementing APEC Leaders’ and Ministers’ commitments in the area of counter terrorism. Based on the CTAP updates, the Secretariat will prepare a Summary Report of APEC economies’ Counter Terrorism Capacity Building Needs.
  
  
• The first CTTF-Tourism Working Group Joint Dialogue on Tourism Security was held at the margins of the meeting. The discussion focused on creating synergies between the two groups on tourism security and explored potential opportunities for APEC going forward in view of the tourism sector’s importance to APEC economies.

PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES

APEC Seminar on Protection of Cyberspace (self-funded). Korea organized the 3rd APEC Seminar on Protection of Cyberspace (7-8 September 2011 in Seoul, Korea).  This project was co-endorsed by the Security and Prosperity Steering Group (SPSG). The seminar explored ways to further enhance cooperation in combating cyber threats in the APEC region.

Seminar Preventing Terrorist Activity from Disrupting Major Events: Conducting Preparatory Exercises (self-funded). Canada implemented the CTTF Major Event Security Workshop held in Vancouver from 12-14 September 2011.

8^th Secure Trade in the APEC Region Conference (STAR VIII) CTTF implemented the “8th Secure Trade in the APEC Region Conference (STAR VIII)” on 15-16 September 2011 in San Francisco. Many CTTF members attended the Conference, and at CTTF-3 they discussed the Conference proceedings and provided suggestions for strengthening future conferences.