Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers has called for a united international response to the growing threat of political terrorism.He declared that terrorism must be confronted regardless of ideology while urging stronger intelligence-sharing, regional cooperation and protection of critical infrastructure.Sobers delivered the message while representing Trinidad and Tobago at the Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism, hosted by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC, where senior government officials from across the Western Hemisphere, Europe and Asia met to strengthen international cooperation against politically motivated violence.The minister also held high-level bilateral meetings with United States officials on energy security, trade, and expanding the strategic partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Sobers thanked the United States for convening what he described as a critical meeting at a time of increasing global instability.“I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the government of the United States, and specifically to Secretary Rubio, for the warm hospitality and for convening this timely and necessary dialogue at a critical juncture for global stability,” he said.He also praised the United States for bringing together international partners to confront what he described as one of today’s most pressing global challenges.“We commend the United States for its leadership in bringing us together to confront one of the most pressing challenges we face today: the resurgence of political terrorism,” he said.Condemning politically motivated violence, Sobers stressed Trinidad and Tobago’s position was unequivocal and the country “remains concerned by the use of violence to intimidate societies, coerce governments, and undermine democratic institutions. Our position is clear: terrorism must be condemned and confronted regardless of the ideology invoked by its perpetrators”.Critical energy andtourism infrastructure ► sub head ◄According to Sobers, although the Caribbean records relatively few terrorist incidents, Small Island Developing States remain especially vulnerable because of their unique geographic and economic characteristics.“For Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean, this threat is shaped by our open economies, extensive maritime space, critical energy and tourism infrastructure, digital exposure, trafficking in illicit firearms and organised-crime networks. Even where the number of terrorist incidents is low, transnational radicalisation, financing and facilitation can move quickly across borders.”Sobers outlined several areas where Trinidad and Tobago believes international cooperation should be strengthened, including intelligence sharing, border security and financial investigations.“Therefore, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago supports practical cooperation in intelligence sharing, watch-listing, border and maritime security, terrorist-financing investigations, digital forensics, behavioural threat assessment, critical-infrastructure protection and joint exercises,” he said.Calling for greater use of regional institutions, Sobers encouraged stronger use of Caricom IMPACS and other regional mechanisms so that assistance builds sustainable regional capability.The minister said T&T was prepared to share its own expertise developed through its experience combating violent extremism and dealing with foreign terrorist fighters, whole-of-government coordination and national preparedness.“Our collective objective should be resilient democratic societies that are secure enough to defend against violence, while remaining faithful to the fundamental rights, freedoms and democratic values that terrorism seeks to destroy.”