ASEAN promotes cooperation in preventing and combating transnational crime

The 16th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Crime Prevention and Control (AMMTC) and related conferences were officially opened in an online form, on the morning of September 21, 2022, Chairman of AMMTC 16, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs of the Kingdom of Cambodia Samdech Krolahom Sar Kheng chaired the conference. Minister of Public Security General To Lam attended and made address at the plenary session of the virtual meeting.

Speaking at the plenary sitting, Minister To Lam emphasized that the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam has taken preventive measures, destroyed various transnational criminal bands, trans-border illegal migration, human and drug trafficking lines as well as cyber and terrorism groups, over the past time.

Minister To Lam affirmed that, as an ASEAN member country, Vietnam is committed to actively and responsibly participating in ASEAN cooperation frameworks, including regional cooperation mechanisms in transnational crime prevention and control. 

On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, Minister To Lam suggested that suggested ASEAN law enforcement agencies consolidate and promote effective and substantive implementation of joint programs and plans to tackle transnational crime within existing ASEAN multilateral cooperation mechanisms.

He highlighted the importance of boosting information and experience exchanges regarding the fight against crime, especially drug, cyber and hi-tech crime; and of teaming up to verify, chase, arrest and extradite wanted persons within the framework of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

General To Lam proposed the sides involved promote the negotiation and signing of related bilateral pacts such as treaties on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and extradition.

He added that it is also necessary to deepen collaboration with ASEAN dialogue partners in the field, and organize training courses and conferences for law enforcement officers in a bid to maintain the support of dialogue partners in terms of human resources and policies for dealing with common security threats.

During the session, participating ASEAN countries discussed the results of the fight against transnational crime in each nation and the promotion of cooperation in this area, contributing to ensuring security, peace and stability in the region.

AMMTC 16 and related conferences takes place from September 20 to 22. 

On September 22, consultation meetings on cooperation in transnational crime prevention and control with three partner countries and dialogues of ASEAN, namely China, Japan and South Korea will take place. 

In particular, the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam will co-chair the 3rd AMMTC+Korea Consultation Meeting on the afternoon of September 22.