Remarks by Minister of Public Security To Lam at AMMTC 14
- Minister To Lam hosts outgoing Cuban Ambassador
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| Minister To Lam speaks at the event, |
The following is the full text of his remarks at AMMTC 14's opening ceremony:
"Your Excellency Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam,
Excellency Ministers of ASEAN member states in charge of transnational crime prevention and suppression,
Your Excellency Mr. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, ASEAN Secretary General,
Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the Ministry of Public Security of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, I would like to warmly welcome all delegates and sincerely thank His Excellency Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for taking time to attend the Opening Ceremony of the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC 14).
The AMMTC is one of the core cooperation mechanisms of the ASEAN Political-Security Community, where Ministers of ASEAN member states can exchange and propose policies as well as action plans to resolve related issues on transnational crime prevention and suppression, contributing to maintaining regional peace, security and stability.
As a major event organized right after series of activities of the recent 37th ASEAN Summit, the AMMTC 14 will be an opportunity for the Ministers of ASEAN member states in charge of transnational crime prevention and suppression to affirm their commitment and determination in implementing documnents approved by senior leaders at the recent 37th ASEAN Summit.
This is the first time the AMMTC is held online. Also, in order to affirm ASEAN's proactiveness, solidarity and strong determination in promoting the achievement of set goals, according to the proposal by the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, this is the first time the AMMTC has the theme "Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN against Transnational Crime”.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The year 2020 is gradually closing with many complicated and unpredictable developments, especially the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has forced governments to carry out multiple social distancing measures, causing difficulties for production and business activities. Natural disasters, storms, floods, droughts and other unusual weather phenomena caused by climate change have also exerted serious consequences regarding human lives and property. Research by international organizations shows that about 21 million people in Southeast Asia could lose their jobs. The rising unemployment rate has led to social welfare problems, caused pressure of increased criminal activities and social order complication, social conflicts and crime surge.
Due to COVID-19 widespread expansion around the world, border closure has slowed down travel and trade between countries. However, transnational crime has not been reduced, but on the contrary, the criminal syndicates have thoroughly taken advantage of cyberspace to increase criminal activities. Social distancing and increasing online work have led to an increase of high-tech crime in term of cases, nature and severity with new modus operandi, directly affecting many areas of social life, causing difficulties in criminal prevention and fighting.
In addition, the issue of fake news, false information related to epidemics causing confusion in public opinion also adversely affects the security and order situation. Moreover, regional countries, including Viet Nam, continue to face complicated developments in drug crime, environmental crime, human smuggling, etc. With the trend of legalizing marijuana use in Western countries, Southeast Asia is expected to become a transit location for drugs, which could increase drug crime and cause insecurity, affecting the stable development and peace of the region. Notably, several countries in the region have detected a link between drug syndicates and terrorists. Accordingly, terrorist groups gain profits through illegal drug trade in order to buy weapons to carry out terrorist attacks.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Forecasts show that the world and regional situation are still complicated and unpredictable. Indeed, challenges and threats related to traditional and non-traditional security are still present in the region. Currently, countries in the region continue to make efforts to resolve the consequences caused by natural disasters and pandemic. In that context, the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam commits to actively and responsibly participate in ASEAN's cooperation frameworks, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable space for countries to focus on overcoming and recovering from the consequences caused by the pandemic.
The AMMTC 14 with the theme "Cohesivie and Responsive ASEAN against Transnational Crime" is an important regional event hosted by the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam and law enforcement agencies of ASEAN member states to affirm their proactiveness, solidarity, unity and strong determination to implement ASEAN cooperation in transnational crime prevention and suppression. In addition, it shows ASEAN joint regional response and adaptation to the new situation, contributing to maintaining the momentum of regional cooperation and integration, sufficiently and properly implementing the goals set out in the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and Hanoi Declaration on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision.
With the motto of cohesion and responsiveness, we have been continuing to uphold that spirit to cooperate effectively in combatting transnational crimes in the coming time to build up an ASEAN Community that is politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible and openly cooperative with the outside world.
In that spirit, I would like to announce the opening of the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime. May I wish the Meeting a great success.
Sincerly thank you.".
