SEARCCT’S INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025

The Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, hosted its second SEARCCT’s International Conference (SIC 2025) from 24 to 26 June 2025 at Hilton Kuala Lumpur. With the theme “Emerging Trends in Terrorism and Violent Extremism,” the conference focused on the shifting dynamics and complexities of modern terrorism, while encouraging both regional and global collaboration to counter these pressing threats.

Following the success of the inaugural SIC in 2023, this year’s event welcomed more than 200 local and international participants, twice the number from the previous conference. The participants ranged from government bodies, diplomatic corps, security sector, academia, research institutions, and civil society organisations. The conference featured insights from experts and speakers representing organisations and institutions from Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America.

Held over two days, SIC 2025 featured five panel discussions on key and emerging issues related to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE). The topics are as follows:

1. The Evolution of Online Radicalisation

2. Technological Evolution and the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Terrorism and PCVE

3. The Shifting Landscape of Lone and Small Cell Tactics in the Region

4. Digital Disinformation and Social Fragmentation

5. Regional Approaches to PCVE: Policy, Practice and Collaboration

In view of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, SIC 2025 is in line with ASEAN’s collective security and resilience agenda, reinforcing Malaysia’s leadership in promoting regional stability through enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation. It highlights Malaysia’s proactive role in driving regional stability through strengthened counter-terrorism initiatives. Recognising that terrorism and violent extremism are transnational threats, SIC 2025 underscores ASEAN’s commitment to addressing emerging security challenges, fostering regional collaboration, and advancing policy initiatives that align with the ASEAN Plan of Action to Prevent and Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism (ASEAN PoA PCRVE) 2018-2025, the Bali Work Plan (2019-2025), and ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.

Preceding the conference, SEARCCT hosted the “Sharing Together for Online Resilience Among Youth” (STORY) Regional Workshop from 20 to 23 June 2025, themed “The Changemakers.” The workshop brought together 30 youth leaders from all ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste to design peer-led solutions for digital resilience, with their innovative approaches showcased at the SIC 2025.

KUALA LUMPUR

24 June 2025

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Media Contact: Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia | Email: Ms. Naheed Azhari | Phone: +6013- 238 8408

Conference Venue: Hilton Kuala Lumpur, 3 Jalan Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Conference Dates: June 24-26, 2025 | Pre-event Regional Workshop: June 20-23, 2025

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SEARCCT’S INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025

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