Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has called for enhanced cooperation among ASEAN countries to combat transnational crime and pursue criminal fugitives across the region. During a meeting in Hà Nội with leaders of ASEAN delegations and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, Hưng emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral extradition and prisoner-transfer agreements among member states.
Hưng urged the acceleration of the ratification of the ASEAN Treaty on Extradition as a crucial step towards unified regional efforts. He highlighted the need for effective mechanisms to verify information, locate, arrest, and transfer fugitives between ASEAN nations. The prime minister advocated for greater utilization of INTERPOL and ASEANAPOL databases, alongside direct information-sharing channels, to bolster investigations and curb emerging forms of transnational crime.
In addition to these measures, Hưng proposed increasing exchanges between law-enforcement agencies and implementing specialized training programs. He also underscored the importance of closer cooperation in technology and digital transformation to enhance the capacity for preventing and investigating cross-border crime.
The conference concluded with the adoption of an ASEAN Joint Action Plan and a Joint Declaration, both aimed at reinforcing regional cooperation against criminal fugitives. These initiatives reflect a collective commitment to addressing the challenges posed by transnational crime in Southeast Asia.