Commission B Advances Regional Cooperation to Combat Transnational Crime at the 44th ASEANAPOL Conference

Manila, Philippines | 44th ASEANAPOL Conference

Commission B of the 44th ASEANAPOL Conference convened in Manila, Philippines, to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing transnational crime through strategic discussions among ASEANAPOL Member Countries. The Commission reviewed the implementation of previous resolutions and adopted key initiatives focusing on four priority crime areas: Wildlife Crime, Financial Crime, Cybercrime, and Maritime Crime.

1. Wildlife Crime
The Commission emphasised the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in combating wildlife trafficking through enhanced information sharing, coordinated enforcement efforts, and closer collaboration with international partners, including CITES, to address illegal activities affecting biodiversity and environmental security.

2. Financial Crime
Discussions focused on enhancing collective efforts to combat financial crimes, including scams, fraud, and emerging financial threats. The Commission highlighted the need for intelligence sharing, joint investigations, and improved operational coordination to strengthen regional responses against financial crime networks.

3. Cybercrime
The Commission recognised the growing challenges posed by cyber-enabled crimes and emphasised the importance of leveraging advanced technology, strengthening cyber capabilities, and enhancing cooperation among law enforcement agencies to address evolving digital threats.

4. Maritime Crime
The Commission highlighted the importance of strengthening maritime security cooperation through coordinated operations, information exchange, and collaborative efforts to address cross-border maritime criminal activities.

The outcomes of the meeting reaffirm ASEANAPOL’s commitment to advancing intelligence-led policing, enhancing operational cooperation, strengthening capacity building, and promoting partnerships with regional and international organisations, including INTERPOL, UNODC, CITES, and the World Customs Organization (WCO), towards a safer and more secure ASEAN region.