Media Release
9 April 2026
Australia and Indonesia co-chaired the 5th ASEAN-Australia Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in Jakarta on 9 April 2026, reaffirming ASEAN and Australia’s shared commitment to combatting terrorism and violent extremism across the Indo-Pacific region.
The Dialogue was co-chaired by Australian Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism, Gemma Huggins, and Indonesia’s National Counter-Terrorism Agency’s (BNPT) Acting Deputy for International Cooperation/Director for Regional and Multilateral Cooperation, Dionnisius Elvan Swasono.
Ambassador Huggins, reflecting on the significance of the Dialogue’s 5th anniversary said, “The ASEAN-Australia Counter-Terrorism Dialogue affords us with the opportunity to address key issues together with a shared sense of purpose and through the delivery of impactful initiatives. The ASEAN-led counter-terrorism cooperation remains vital in addressing the security challenges facing our region.”
“Australia is a significant dialogue partner for ASEAN in this field, and the 5th ASEAN-Australia Counter-Terrorism Dialogue reaffirms the importance of sustained, practical, and forward-looking collaboration between ASEAN and Australia to prevent and counter-terrorism and violent extremism in the region,” said BNPT’s Acting Deputy for International Cooperation, Dionnisius Elvan Swasono.
Australia was pleased to announce support for the development of the Successor Document of the ASEAN Plan of Action to Prevent and Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism 2018-2026 and its Work Plan, which will be a comprehensive regional framework aimed at strengthening collaboration against terrorism and violent extremism.
“Australia is proud to stand alongside ASEAN in this important work; and as we mark five years of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, our commitment to a safer region is stronger than ever,” said Australia’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Tiffany McDonald.
The Dialogue was an opportunity to share updates on the terrorism threat landscape, review joint programs to counter terrorism and prevent radicalisation, and identify new areas for practical cooperation going forward.
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