Vietnam has called for enhanced collaboration with ASEAN member states to address the growing challenge of transnational crime and apprehend criminal fugitives throughout the region. Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng emphasized the need for such cooperation during a meeting in Hà Nội with leaders and representatives from ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Hưng urged ASEAN countries to fortify bilateral extradition and prisoner-transfer agreements, as well as expedite the ratification of the ASEAN Treaty on Extradition. He highlighted the importance of establishing effective mechanisms for verifying information, locating, arresting, and transferring fugitives between countries in the region.
Hưng advocated for increased utilization of INTERPOL and ASEANAPOL databases, alongside direct information-sharing channels, to support investigations and counteract emerging types of transnational crime. The Prime Minister also proposed more frequent exchanges between law enforcement agencies, specialized training programs, and closer cooperation in technology and digital transformation to bolster the capacity to prevent and investigate cross-border crime.
The conference concluded with the adoption of an ASEAN Joint Action Plan and a Joint Declaration, both aimed at strengthening regional cooperation against criminal fugitives. This collaborative framework seeks to facilitate a more unified and effective approach to combating crime and ensuring justice across the ASEAN region.