Vietnam is ramping up efforts to enhance regional cooperation with ASEAN countries in tackling transnational crime and apprehending criminal fugitives. During a meeting with ASEAN delegation leaders and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat in Hà Nội, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng emphasized the need for stronger bilateral extradition and prisoner-transfer agreements among member states.
Prime Minister Hưng highlighted the importance of accelerating the ratification of the ASEAN Treaty on Extradition to facilitate more effective legal processes across borders. He advocated for the implementation of robust mechanisms to verify information and efficiently locate, arrest, and transfer fugitives within the ASEAN region. To support these efforts, he encouraged the greater use of INTERPOL and ASEANAPOL databases, alongside direct information-sharing channels, to aid investigations and combat emerging forms of transnational crime.
The prime minister also underscored the value of increased exchanges between law enforcement agencies and the development of specialized training programs. He suggested that closer cooperation in technology and digital transformation could significantly enhance 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. These frameworks are aimed at strengthening regional cooperation against criminal fugitives, reflecting a collective commitment to address the challenges posed by transnational crime in Southeast Asia.