In a bid to bolster regional security, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has urged ASEAN countries to enhance their cooperation in combating transnational crime and tracking down criminal fugitives. Addressing ASEAN delegation leaders and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat in Hà Nội, Hưng emphasized the need for stronger bilateral extradition and prisoner-transfer agreements among member states. He also called for the swift ratification of the ASEAN Treaty on Extradition to facilitate more effective legal cooperation.
The prime minister underscored the importance of establishing efficient mechanisms for verifying information, locating, and arresting fugitives within the ASEAN region. To support these efforts, he advocated for increased utilization of INTERPOL and ASEANAPOL databases, alongside direct information-sharing channels among countries. These measures are intended to aid in preventing emerging forms of transnational crime and enhancing regional security.
Additionally, Hưng proposed that ASEAN countries engage in more frequent exchanges between their law enforcement agencies. He highlighted the need for specialized training programs and closer cooperation in technology and digital transformation, which would enhance the capacity to prevent and investigate cross-border crime.
The conference culminated in the adoption of an ASEAN Joint Action Plan and a Joint Declaration, both aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against criminal fugitives. These agreements reflect a collective commitment by ASEAN member states to improve their collaborative efforts in addressing security challenges posed by transnational crime.