Embassy of Russia in Singapore

🗓 On July 11, in Kuala Lumpur, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovparticipated in the 15th Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the East Asia Summit (#EAS) and the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (#ARF) on Security. During discussions addressing pressing matters pertaining to the Asia–Pacific region, the Russian delegation underscored the mounting security risks arising from militarisation and the establishment of a networked system of bloc-based structures serving NATO’s interests. 🌐 Moscow reaffirmed its consistent policy of reinforcing the #ASEAN-centred cooperative framework through equal, depoliticised dialogue and the expansion of practical collaboration. At the EAS meeting, key aspects of preparations for the 20th East Asia Summit, scheduled for October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, were reviewed. In accordance with Russia’s proposal to enhance regional socio-cultural interconnectedness, work has commenced on drafting a Leaders’ Statement to formalise this initiative. The ARF session concentrated on augmenting the Forum’s capacities in counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, disarmament, emergency response, maritime security, and #ICT security. 🤝 A programme delineating the Forum’s undertakings in these domains for the forthcoming year was adopted.

🗓 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovattended the 14th Ministerial Meeting of the Member States of the East Asia Summit (#EAS) and the 31st session of the ASEAN Regional Forum (#ARF) which were held in Vientiane on July 27. During discussions on current issues related to the situation in the Asia Pacific Region, the Russian Minister emphasised the importance of efforts to build an open and indivisible architecture of Eurasian security as one of the foundations of the multipolar international order. Apart from #ASEAN, the #SCO and the #EAEU are making a contribution to its strengthening. ❗️ He also indicated the risks to peace and stability in Asia introduced by NATO and the US-created selective bloc mechanisms. He reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to reinforcing ASEAN’s central role in the regional security system through the build-up of an equitable dialogue and practical interaction. Participants in the EAS meeting discussed preparations for the 19th East Asia Summit scheduled to be held in Vientiane in October 2024. At previous summits, Russia proposed initiatives to create a regional epidemic response mechanism and to secure economic growth in the Asia Pacific Region by promoting tourism cooperation. Russia also suggested focusing on the development of remote territories as a possible option for long-term cooperation. ☝️ The ARF session focused on building up the ARF’s potential in counterterrorism, emergency response, and #ICT security. Russia stressed that it is unacceptable to reformat the ARF mandate, restrict certain member states’ access to its activities, or block mutually beneficial cooperation projects for political reasons. The session approved the ARF’s working plans on countering terrorism and transnational crime for 2024-2026, emergency response for 2024-2027, and a Ministerial Statement on strengthening regional cooperation in ferry service safety. 🤝 The participants also summed up the results of the Russian-Indonesian co-chairmanship of the ARF Inter-Sessional Meetings on ICT security in 2022-2024. A number of practical initiatives to combat cybercrime was implemented during that period.

🗓 On May 23-24, Moscow hosted the #ASEAN Regional Forum’s third security workshop aimed at combating the use of information and communications technologies (#ICT) for criminal purposes. Co-chaired by the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and the Kingdom of Thailand, the workshop was attended by over 300 experts from law enforcement agencies, foreign ministries, and academic and business circles of ASEAN countries, East Timor, India, Mongolia and North Korea, as well as specialists from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. 🔹 The participants exchanged views and shared best practices on countering terrorism and extremism on the internet, ICT-aided trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and online fraud. 🔹 They considered various aspects of utilising advanced technologies, including AI, to combat cybercrime and protect personal data. 🔹 A focus was placed on building up efforts to implement the mandate of the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes. 🤝 Russia, together with its ARF partners, intends to continue holding annual workshops on international cooperation in fighting the use of ICT for criminal purposes to enhance the capabilities of nations in the Asia Pacific Region.