Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam opens the 39th ASEAN Chiefs of Police Conference (ASEANAPOL). (Photo: VNA)

High on the agenda are continued cooperation to fight emerging crimes like illegal purchase and sale of drugs, terrorism, arms and human trafficking, and technology crimes. In his opening address, Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam said that as the Southeast Asian region is facing security challenges, the role of ASEAN law enforcement agencies is very important.

“I call on the police forces of countries to strengthen cooperation in sharing information on transnational crimes, arresting most wanted criminals, and fighting transnational crimes. The police force of ASEANAPOL member countries and their partners need to reach a common voice and support each other at international forums to show solidarity and unity in line with the ASEAN cooperative spirit,” said Mr. Lam.

At the media conference afterwards, Lieut. Gen. Tran Van Ve, Head of the Office of the Criminal Investigation Agency, said: “The meeting aims to step up multinational cooperation in the prevention and fight against 10 types of emerging crimes in the region such as illegal purchase and sale of narcotics, terrorism, weapon smuggling, human trafficking, credit card fraud, high-tech crime, illegal wildlife trade and maritime crime.”

Themed “Honored by Partnership, Sustained by Unification”, the 3-day conference is attracting delegates from ASEAN member countries and ASEANAPOL’s 10 dialogue partners.