MACOSA is a Vietnamese initiative, which was first raised at the third meeting of the ASEAN Politics-Security Community Council, General Nguyen Chi Thanh, Deputy Director General of the General Security Department (the Ministry of Public Security), told a press briefing on September 16. 

The initiative was also recognized in a statement issued by the ASEAN Chair at the 16th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi from April 8-9, 2010, Thanh said. 

The objective of MACOSA is to enhance security cooperation amongst regional nations and improve their capacity to make policies and cope with threats to security. 

It is also expected to link up with the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Police Chiefs Meeting (ASEANAPOL). 

The first MACOSA will define the scope and fields of cooperation as well as ways of coordinating security-related policies in ASEAN member nations to prevent security threats in the region, as well as preclude possible conflicts between them. 

According to Thanh, outstanding security threats in the region include transnational crime, such as terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and non-traditional crimes related to economic security, the environment and energy. 

MACOSA is an open conference so the heads of delegations can suggest new issues for immediate discussions and reach a consensus, Thanh told reporters. 

Around 50 official delegates, including the heads of security agencies from ASEAN countries and observers, will attend the first meeting.

VNA