Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Participation in the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Rome, Italy on 28 June 2021

          Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan attended the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Rome, co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic Luigi di Maio and Secretary of State of the United States Antony Blinken, on 28 June 2021.

          At the meeting, Minister Balakrishnan reaffirmed Singapore’s support for the Coalition’s efforts to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS globally and prevent attacks from returning foreign terrorist fighters. Notwithstanding ISIS’s territorial defeat in Iraq and Syria, ISIS retains a diffused global presence, exploiting the digital sphere to extend its networks and propagate extremism. Vigilance is therefore still needed. 

        Singapore remains committed to global and regional efforts to prevent and counter the rise of radicalisation and violent extremism. Minister Balakrishnan highlighted Singapore’s efforts to counter terrorism through close community engagement and domestic security response preparedness, as well as enhance international intelligence sharing through the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Information Facility in Singapore. The full text of Minister Balakrishnan's remarks is appended.

          Minister Balakrishnan also met a number of counterparts on the sidelines of the conference, and had bilateral meetings withMinister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic Nikos Dendias and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

29 JUNE 2021

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN’S INTERVENTION AT

THE MEETING OF THE MINISTERS OF

THE GLOBAL COALITION TO DEFEAT ISIS,

ROME, ITALY,

28 JUNE 2021

1        As the first Southeast Asian country to contribute personnel and assets to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Singapore is heartened that our combined efforts have culminated in ISIS’s territorial defeat in Iraq and Syria.

2        But our fight continues. ISIS retains a diffused global presence, exploiting the digital sphere to extend its networks and propagate extremism. Its brand of radicalism and violence persists, including in Southeast Asia. Therefore, we need to remain vigilant.

3        Returning foreign terrorist fighters remain a clear and present danger. To prevent potential attacks, a new multilateral Counter-Terrorism Information Facility was established in Singapore this year. Like-minded countries can share intelligence, and pool monitoring and analysis capabilities through this Facility.

4        Singapore adopts a “not if, but when” approach to counter-terrorism. Extremism and radicalisation are not confined to any single religion, race, gender or age. A robust security response is essential but insufficient. We will continue to work closely with the community and religious organisations to identify radicalised individuals. We need to win hearts and minds of people around the world and around the region. We need trust and unity amongst different groups, and eliminate misperceptions or prejudice wherever they arise.

5        Global terrorism does not respect borders, and can only be defeated through collective action. We are committed to continue working with Coalition members.

6        Thank you.

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Rome on 28 June 2021.

Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Rome on 28 June 2021.

Photo credit: Angelo Carconi