Enhancing Aviation and Maritime Security - APEC STAR III Conference
Business leaders, security experts and government representatives are meeting in Incheon, Korea, today and tomorrow to develop solutions to make aviation and maritime transportation safer from the threat of terrorism and piracy.
The Third Annual Secure Trade in the APEC Region (STAR) Conference is seen as one of the major forums for advancing counter terrorism efforts in the APEC Region.
Chair of the APEC Counter Terrorism Task Force, General Benjamin P. Defensor, said the STAR Conference is expected to explore feasible policy guidelines for APEC economies that will be presented to the Leaders of APEC's 21 Member Economies when they meet in Busan in November.
"Overcoming the terrorist threat has become one of the most important challenges for governments this century," General Defensor said.
"For APEC overcoming the terrorist threat is a major part of our efforts to promote free trade and the healthy development of the regional economy.
"The STAR Conference provides an opportunity to ask what business feels is needed to keep passengers and cargo safe while not imposing unnecessary burdens on business."
The two day STAR Conference will include two concurrent forums on aviation security and maritime security.
The Aviation Security Forum will cover a range of areas such as baggage screening and procedures regarding the use of air marshals, threats to civil aviation from shoulder launched Man Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS) and best practice for the collection and transmission of advance passenger information.
The Maritime Security forum will cover issues including the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, the development of a container security regime and the protection of sea lane of communications from terrorist threats and acts of piracy.
Speakers at the Third STAR Conference include:
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General Benjamin P. Defensor Jr., Chair of the APEC Counter-Terrorism Task Force (CTTF) and Ambassador for Counter Terrorism from the Philippines Office of the President, discussing the Agenda of the APEC CTTF.
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Russ Mortenson, GE Security, Inc., GE Commerce Guard discussing Advanced Technology Solutions for in-transit Security of Containerized Cargo.
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Dennis Holley, United States Federal Air Marshals Service, discussing the Federal Marshal Service.
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Shengkun Ma, Deputy Director of the Department of Arms Control in the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussing Chinese Perspective on Measures to Prevent the International Spread of MANPADS.
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Sang-Soo Kim, Korea Civil Aviation Safety Authority, discussing Baggage Screening Procedures in Incheon International Airport.
The First STAR Conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2003 followed by the Second STAR Conference in Viña del Mar, Chile, 2004.