ASEANAPOL and Transnational Crime

ASEANAPOL and Transnational Organized Crime

• ASEANAPOL's Executive Director, Kenechanh Phommachack, discusses the Dialogue
• The Dialogue brings together regional policing organizations and intergovernmental security stakeholders under INTERPOL's global umbrella
• It facilitates regular high-level discussions to coordinate efforts against global threats
• Established in 2016, the Dialogue aims for a comprehensive and coordinated global approach to cross-continental security threats
• It focuses on improving mutual cooperation, sharing information and best practices, and reducing duplication between international and regional law enforcement entities

ASEANPOL Organizational Structure

• ASEANAPOL (ASEAN National Police) is an organization of national police forces from ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam)
• It has a Secretariat with an Executive Director
• The Secretariat has supporting administrative and technical staff

ASEANPOL History and Governance

• The first formal meeting of ASEAN Police Chiefs was in Manila, Philippines in 1981
• The meeting focused on law enforcement and crime control
• An annual meeting, called the ASEANAPOL Conference, is held annually
• Membership criteria are to be a member of ASEAN and application approval at the conference
• Initial members included Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines

ASEANPOL Permanent Secretariat

• The Secretariat initially operated on a rotational basis, with member countries taking turns hosting the ASEANAPOL Conference and assuming secretariat duties
• The 25th Joint Communiqué highlighted the need for a permanent ASEANPOL Secretariat
• The Secretariat became fully operational on January 1, 2010

Objectives of the Permanent Secretariat

• Harmonize and standardize coordination and communication mechanisms among ASEAN police institutions
• Conduct a comprehensive study on ASEANPOL Joint Communiqués resolutions
• Establish a mechanism to monitor and implement the resolutions, integrating them into an action plan
• Increase regional cooperation to combat transnational crime

ASEANPOL Functions

• Implement resolutions from ASEANPOL Conferences
• Facilitate cross-border intelligence and information sharing
• Coordinate joint operations regarding criminal investigations and capacity building
• Provide technical support and forensic science
• Annually report activities and expenditures to ASEANPOL members
• Maintain and manage ASEANPOL documents and records

Explore the role of ASEANAPOL in combating transnational organized crime. This quiz highlights the structure of ASEANAPOL, its regional importance, and its collaboration with INTERPOL. Test your knowledge on how ASEANAPOL facilitates police cooperation across Southeast Asia.