15 November 2004, San Francisco—The international community expressed its confidence in the leadership of the Philippines in the war against terrorism when it was unanimously elected today as the new chair of the Counter-Terrorism Task Force (CTTF) of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo.

“This is a clear recognition of the leadership role of the Philippines in global efforts against counter-terrorism,” Secretary Romulo said after receiving the report from Ma. Angelina M. Sta. Catalina, Acting Philippine Senior Official for APEC, who is attending the APEC Concluding Senior Officials´ Meeting (CSOM) in Santiago, Chile. The Philippines was elected during the APEC CSOM today.

“As CTTF chair, the Philippines will coordinate APEC´s work on securing trade in the Asia-Pacific region and its various projects on counter-terrorism capacity building,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary added that the Philippines is looking forward to working closely with all APEC members “pursuing this task.”

“Immediately after 9/11, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was one of the first APEC leaders to push for greater cooperation within APEC on the war on terror.  When the APEC Leaders met in Shanghai, just over a month after 9/11, President Arroyo was among the first to advocate greater cooperation within APEC in the fight against terrorism,” the Secretary recalled.

“Our chairmanship of the CTTF is a recognition not only of our strong advocacy but also of our solid achievements in the war against terror,” the Secretary said.

“This honor and heavy responsibility is a fitting prelude to the President’s participation in this year’s APEC Leaders Meeting in Chile,” the Secretary added.  President Arroyo will be in Chile for the APEC Leaders Meeting on 20-21 November 2004.  Secretary Romulo will be in Chile ahead of the President for the APEC Ministerial Meeting.

The Philippines will serve as CTTF chair for two years, from 2005 to 2006, with Chile, as vice chair. Indonesia and Japan served as chair and vice chair, respectively, from 2003 to 2004.

Formed in 2003, the main tasks of the CTTF are:

• Coordinate the implementation of the APEC Leaders´ various counter-terrorism initiatives;
• Assist Member Economies in identifying and assessing counter-terrorism needs;
• Coordinate capacity building and technical assistance programs, including through consultations with international financial institutions;
• Cooperate with various international organizations in implementing APEC Leaders´ statements on counter-terrorism; and
• Facilitate cooperation between APEC working groups on counter-terrorism issues and recommend projects to APEC Senior Officials.