KUALA LUMPUR: Peace and security are essential foundations for sustainable development, says David Martinez Vinluan.
The Asean National Police (Aseanapol ) Secretariat executive director said without security, people cannot achieve their potential, and without development, lasting peace cannot be sustained, emphasising a statement by former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
"It is important to invest in Aseanapol member countries to safeguard the critical value chains of trade, tourism, and economic ties that drive Asean-Korea relations, particularly in the fight against transnational crimes.
"Additionally, capacity building and training of Asean police personnel is very important as well," he said.
He was speaking during the Korea–Asean Police Cooperation Forum, hosted by the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) in South Korea recently, which was posted on Aseanapol's official Facebook.
Vinluan highlighted that enhancing the human capital within police organisations is essential to ensuring that law enforcement agencies become highly capable, effective and credible.
"Thus ultimately contributing to a safer environment for people to live, work, and conduct business for generations to come," he said.
The forum, which was held from Nov 25 until 29, featured two key panel discussions: one on International Cooperation and Official Development Assistance (ODA) and another on Effective Response Strategies Against Cross-Border Fraud.
These discussions aimed to enhance the knowledge of Aseanapol member Countries in international police cooperation and mutual assistance in combating transnational crimes.
"The forum was highly regarded by the participants, as the topics presented stimulated significant interest and generated fruitful discussions.
"The program successfully broadened understanding of international cooperation and ODA, with a focus on infrastructure building and the prevention of transnational crimes," Aseanapol said.
Among others who attended the event were Deputy Inspector-General Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and other officials from various Aseanapol member countries, including Cambodian National Police's Director of the Anti-Cyber Crime Department Police Major General Sok Nithya, Indonesian National Police Head of the International Relations Division Inspector General Krishna Murti and Deputy Director of the Counter Narcotic Police Department, Lao Police Force Police Lieutenant Colonel Bounpheng Inthavong.
