Public security ministers of ASEAN member states at the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC-18) held in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Xuân Tú

VIENTIANE — Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen Lương Tam Quang delivered a call for enhanced regional cooperation against transnational crime, at the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC-18) held in Vientiane on August 28.

In his speech, Quang presented a series of proposals to bolster the collective efforts against cross-border criminal activities, including the intensification of information sharing on criminal activities and joint task forces to investigate and verify crimes across borders, as well as the coordination of patrols to combat drug and human trafficking, organised crime and cybercrime.

He said the sides must better coordinate in monitoring and tackling crimes committed by citizens of one country in another, highlighting the importance of diversified regional media campaigns to raise public awareness and proactively prevent threats early and from afar such as human trafficking, terrorism, and cybercrime.

The minister called for improved effectiveness in handling mutual legal assistance requests, extradition, and transfer of criminals among the ASEAN countries. This includes efforts to locate and recover assets embezzled or laundered, ensuring compliance with legal regulations and diplomatic requirements.

To keep pace with the rapid development of technical means employed by criminals, Quang proposed advancing cooperation in high-level sci-tech innovations, such as artificial intelligence, big data, and virtual assistants. He also stressed the need for supporting training and capacity building for law enforcement personnel to enhance practical capabilities and combat transnational crime under the principle of not lagging behind criminals and preventing crime from thriving.

Participants at the event also proposed several recommendations aimed at strengthening cooperation and strategies in combating transnational crime in the future. — VNS