Sri Lanka has called for the ASEAN region to take decisive action against cybercrime centres and employment rackets in the region, during a meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Laos.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya addressing the 31st Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum called for the Asia Pacific region to concertedly address emerging challenges including security-related aspects of new and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
In addition to sustaining the Asia-Pacific region’s efforts to promote peace, security, and cooperation, the Forum must address challenges to cyber and network security systems and tackle transnational organized crime, Balasuriya said.
This year’s ARF Ministerial meeting attended by 27 ARF members, was chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith of Lao PDR, which holds the ASEAN Chairmanship.
Speaking further at the meeting, State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya outlined Sri Lanka’s historical ties with ASEAN countries and the active role in the work of the organization particularly as Co-Chair of several intersessional processes in the areas of disaster relief, non-proliferation and disarmament.
He proposed that ARF also initiate climate justice programs, establish stronger regional mechanisms for disaster relief and response as well as collaborate more intensely to address climate and environmental challenges.
Minister Balasuriya also expressed Sri Lanka’s concerns relating to the humanitarian impact of the conflicts in the Middle East as well as in Russia – Ukraine and highlighted the negative consequences on the region and the global economy. (Newswire)