35th ASEANAPOL Database System Technical Committee (ADSTC) Meeting, 8 - 9 May 2018, Negara Brunei Durussalam

The meeting was declared open by the Guest of Honour, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Pengiran Muhammad Bin Pengiran Haji Metali of Royal Brunei Police Force, he highlighted that the rapid pace of globalization has presented many challenges, which all countries have to confront both individually and collectively. He thus emphasized that securing and having effective communication is vital in information sharing and cooperation between member countries to combat crimes both domestically and internationally. He further added that this is a significant meeting to discuss how to further develop and strengthen the database system shared by all ASEAN member countries so that member countries can use this system to ensure information sharing is transmitted safely through a secured system in combating transnational crimes. 

The Meeting then move on to be chaired by Superintendent of Police Pang Teck Ann of Royal Brunei Police Force and co-chaired by Superintendent of Police Ken Gong Wai Liat from Singapore Police Force. It started wit h a brief introduction on the update on the usage of e-ADS 2.0, STEE-ISS’s update on proposed enhancements under Phase 2 of e-ADS 2.0, sharing of best practices and success stories by member countries and update ASEANAPOL Secretariat’s on:

1. The feasibility of ASEANAPOL Secretariat taking over management and ownership of e-ADS 2.0 and future versions in the longer term for better accountability.

2. The proposal to conduct a comparison study against Europol Information System on the effectiveness of e-ADS 2.0 in facilitating information exchange will be deliberated further at the next ADSTC meeting.

3. ASEANAPOL Secretariat to accept sponsorship for the replacement of the electronic ASEANAPOL Database System (e-ADS).  

The meeting was fruitful with good feedback received from member countries and ASEANAPOL Secretariat indicating to study into the suggestions while it complete the feasibility study to the  ASEANAPOL Secretariat taking over management and ownership of e-ADS 2.0.

The meeting ended with acknowledgment to Royal Brunei Police Force for the excellent arrangements and warm hospitality in organizing the 35^th ADSTC Meeting.