ASEAN Ministers, along with the Secretary-General and Timor-Leste as Observer, gathered in Vientiane to address the challenges of transnational crime and strengthen regional cooperation.
On 28 August 2024, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, joined ASEAN Ministers responsible for combating transnational crime in Vientiane, Lao PDR, for the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC). The event, chaired by Lao PDR, was held under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.”
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Kao delivered remarks emphasizing his commitment to collaborating closely with ASEAN Member States to advance ASEAN’s collective agenda in combating both current and emerging forms of transnational crime. The meeting provided a platform for participants to exchange views on recent and emerging trends in transnational crime and assess the progress made in implementing the ASEAN Plan of Action (PoA) in Combating Transnational Crime (2016-2025).
Key outcomes of the meeting included the adoption of a Declaration, a Joint Statement, and other guiding documents aimed at bolstering regional efforts against transnational crime. The 18th AMMTC also welcomed Malaysia as the incoming Chair for 2025. The meeting will continue with consultations involving China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Plus Three partners in the following days.
Source: ASEAN
