Vietnam is urging stronger cooperation within the ASEAN bloc to tackle transnational crime and apprehend criminal fugitives across Southeast Asia. Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng made this call during a meeting with ASEAN delegation leaders and representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat in Hà Nội.
Hưng emphasized the need for member states to reinforce bilateral extradition and prisoner-transfer agreements while accelerating the ratification of the ASEAN Treaty on Extradition. He highlighted the importance of establishing effective mechanisms to verify information, locate, arrest, and transfer fugitives among ASEAN countries. Hưng urged greater utilization of INTERPOL and ASEANAPOL databases and the creation of direct information-sharing channels to bolster investigations and prevent new forms of transnational crime.
The Prime Minister also advocated for increased exchanges between law-enforcement agencies, specialized training programs, and enhanced cooperation in technology and digital transformation. These steps, he suggested, would strengthen the region’s capacity to prevent and investigate cross-border crime.
The conference concluded with the adoption of an ASEAN Joint Action Plan and a Joint Declaration aimed at reinforcing regional cooperation against criminal fugitives. These initiatives reflect a collective commitment to enhance law enforcement collaboration and address the challenges posed by transnational crime in Southeast Asia.