Strengthening Regional Security: ASEANAPOL and INTERPOL Unite Against Cybercrime at the Korea-ASEAN Police Cooperation Forum

During the Korea–ASEAN Police Cooperation Forum held in Seoul from November 25 to 29, 2024, with the theme “International Cooperation and ODA (Official Development Assistance): From Building Infrastructure to Preventing Transnational Crimes,” the ASEANAPOL Secretariat was represented by Executive Director Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Engku Nurul ‘Aini Engku Malek, who serves as Plans and Programmes Officer II.

On the sidelines of the forum, on November 27, 2024, Executive Director Vinluan and ASP Engku Nurul ‘Ain i held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Thomas Audie Neal Jetton, Chief of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate (IGCI), accompanied by Mr. SangSoon Kim, Assistant Director of Cyber Threat Response.

During the meeting, Executive Director Vinluan expressed profound appreciation for INTERPOL’s role as an ASEANAPOL Observer and its contributions to combating transnational crimes. He highlighted ASEANAPOL’s gratitude for INTERPOL’s steadfast support as a key partner in addressing various crime challenges.
The discussions also focused on INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Capacity Building and Training (CBT) programs, with the ASEANAPOL Secretariat reiterating its commitment to facilitating and coordinating the active participation of police officers from all ten ASEANAPOL member countries and Secretariat personnel in these initiatives.

Recognizing the escalating sophistication of cybercrime threats in the ASEAN region, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat underscored the critical value of INTERPOL’s training programs in enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement personnel. These initiatives not only strengthen regional and global cooperation but also provide law enforcement with the tools needed to effectively combat cybercrime and terrorism.

The ASEANAPOL Secretariat formally expressed its interest in integrating its own capacity-building initiatives within INTERPOL’s CBT framework. This collaboration aims to address shared challenges and ensure that the ASEAN region remains resilient against evolving cyber threats.

INTERPOL reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the capabilities of ASEANAPOL member countries through targeted training programs. These efforts will focus on key areas such as cybercrime and terrorism, with the overarching goal of enhancing the collective response to these pressing threats.

The ASEANAPOL Secretariat and INTERPOL’s collaboration demonstrates a shared vision for a safer ASEAN region, leveraging international partnerships to build robust law enforcement capacities. The forum and bilateral discussions mark another step forward in fostering cooperation to combat transnational crimes and safeguard the region's digital and physical landscapes.

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