On August 19, 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR, ASEANAPOL Secretariat Executive Director, Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan, alongside Police Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Ngoc, Director for Plans and Programmes, conducted a working visit to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Sisangvone Village, Vientiane. They were warmly received by Mr. David Frend, Officer-in-Charge of the UNODC Office in Lao PDR and Regional Adviser/Mentor for AML/CFT under the Global Programme against Money Laundering for the Mekong Region, and Ms. Alina Timus, Specialist in International Cooperation in Criminal Matters under the Criminal Justice Programme.
During the meeting, Executive Director Vinluan presented ASEANAPOL's structure, mission, vision, and initiatives, which align closely with several of UNODC's core programs. He highlighted ASEANAPOL's partnerships with Dialogue Partners, Observers, and other like-minded organizations to enhance collective efforts against transnational crime. In response, Mr. Frend and Ms. Timus outlined key UNODC regional programs that target areas such as Drug Control, Organized Crime, Corruption, and Terrorism Prevention, with Ms. Timus emphasizing the Southeast Asia Justice Network (SEAJust), which facilitates judicial cooperation and communication between authorities dealing with international criminal matters.
The discussions highlighted the critical importance of synergy and collaboration between ASEANAPOL and UNODC. Both organizations identified shared objectives and opportunities for collaboration to address regional security challenges. This partnership strengthens their collective capacity to tackle complex issues such as organized crime, corruption, and terrorism, while ensuring a coordinated and effective approach to law enforcement cooperation in the region, contributing to broader global efforts against transnational crime.
“Together We Keep This Region Safe"