Summit to counter extremist propaganda

A summit aimed at improving the regional response to terrorism will convene in Sydney on Thursday, as nations look to counter the spread of violent extremism and the recruitment of would-be jihadists.

The Regional Summit to Counter Violent Extremism: Challenging Terrorist Propaganda will be attended by ministers from Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Laos and Vietnam, as well as representatives from a string of other countries including the US, Indonesia, Pakistan and Britain.

The talks, over two days, will bring together government, civil and industry representatives from across Australia and the region, and will inform a meeting of world leaders to be held at the UN General Assembly in September.

A government spokesman said the summit's goal was to improve regional co-ordination of counter-terrorism activities and find ways to challenge the propaganda of organisations such as Islamic State.

The summit comes as Australia and other nations wrestle with the issue of young men and women being recruited by groups such as Islamic State, with more than 110 Australians believed to be fighting in the conflict.

Forty-seven Australians in the conflict zone had had passports cancelled.

The summit will be attended by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and will be chaired by Attorney-General George Brandis.