07 May 2018
Welcome Remarks by Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Executive Deputy Chairman of RSIS, at the 12th Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO)
7 May 2018
Marina Mandarin Singapore
Mrs Josephine Teo
Second Minister for Home Affairs
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers, or APPSNO in short. APPSNO is organised by the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at NTU, with the support of the National Security Coordination Secretariat in the Prime Minister’s Office.
APPSNO has convened every year since 2007. It brings together senior national security practitioners, policymakers and academics from various countries for a rigorous exchange of ideas and networking.
The theme of the 12th edition of APPSNO is “Boundaries of National Security”. What does this entail?
Today’s security landscape is very complex. We have traditional and non-traditional security issues. There could be inter-state war, international and home-grown terror, natural disasters, economic decline and political unrest. Whether we like it or not, almost everything in our life can be described as having a security impact!
Intrinsic within security measures is the ability to react effectively and accountably. Given the limited resources available to deal with threats, there is a need to prioritise these issues. We need to understand the threats we face. We must have the ability to identify issues that fall under the remit of national security.
The five panels we bring you this year encourage wide engagement with a spectrum of national security issues. They include the relationship between new technologies and security, the importance of defending the digital engagement space, the futures of terrorism, effects of immigration and emerging climate risks.
The Singapore and international speakers gathered here are highly accomplished in their respective domains and have arrived from around the globe to share their expertise. I thank all the speakers for finding time out of their busy schedules to join us at APPSNO 2018.
With regard to the participants of APPSNO, we note you have also travelled far to be here. Given the spread of issues that will be discussed, not all of us will be experts in every field. However, I do not think you should be concerned. As this conference recognises, the boundaries of national security are constantly expanding and shifting. APPSNO is an excellent opportunity for you to appreciate and consider other aspects of national security from each participant and speaker.
Owing to the challenges we face as a global community, the sharing of ideas, experiences, and solutions is vital among national security practitioners. I have no doubt some of your most meaningful encounters and exchanges will take place during your informal exchanges or even during the external excursions planned for you.
In closing, thank you for making the commitment to come here to contribute to the discussion and expand your understanding of the issues facing the national security of our respective countries. I hope you all have a very productive week ahead.
It is my pleasure now to invite Second Minister of Home Affairs Mrs Josephine Teo to address us. Minister, please.
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