FINAL Against this backdrop, Gen. Zulkifeli (R) further stressed the role of the ARF in recognising and addressing contemporary challenges in the field of ICTs through joint regional efforts, cyber diplomacy, shared awareness programmes and capacity building. 3. In his opening remarks, Mr. Md Shah Nuri highlighted the complexities of ICTs security issues and underlined the role of the ARF ISM on ICTs Security as an ASEAN-led platform in addressing the challenges therein through confidencebuilding measures among ARF Participants. Mr. Md Shah Nuri further underscored the objectives of the ISM, including: (i) to provide a forum for dialogue and to assess common and basic regional needs for capacity building on ICTs Security; (ii) to deliberate on the comprehensive implementation of the ARF Work Plan on ICTs Security; and (iii) to assist the development of a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative environment for the expansion of ICTs Security among ARF Participants. 4. In his opening remarks, Mr. Otaka underlined the necessity to pay greater attention to ICTs Security, recalling the loss of USD $530 million caused by cryptocurrency theft that occurred in Japan this year. Stressing the importance of common understanding and well-established regulations on ICTs security activities, Mr. Otaka shared with the Meeting that Japan is one of the first few countries that has established a national regulatory framework on ICTs security and expressed the hope that other countries would follow suit considering no nation is immune from cyber attacks any more. As this is an inaugural ISM, Mr. Otaka also encouraged other ARF Participants to be open to all proposed ideas while adhering to the ARF’s guiding principle of moving at a pace comfortable to all. 5. In his opening remarks, Mr. Ng recalled the outcome of the 2nd Open-Ended Study Group on Confidence Building Measures to Reduce the Risk of Conflict Stemming from the Use ICTs (2nd Study Group) that was held prior to the ISM in Kuala Lumpur on 23 April 2018, and underlined that while there were different views toward the proposed initiatives tabled during the Study Group, it was important for the ISM to deliberate on activities that could accommodate the ARF Participants’ various levels of progress and particular needs in this field. Mr. Ng also highlighted that cybersecurity is a cross-cutting and trans-boundary issue that requires international collaboration and that, in this connection, the ARF can play a key supporting role in the on-going ASEAN discussions on how best to coordinate regional cyber policy and capacity building efforts. Co-Chairs’ Summary Report of the 1st ARF ISM on ICTs Security Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 25-26 April 2018 Page 2 of 8