11th ASEAN ministerial meet on transnational crimes opens today

Ministers, senior officials, and delegates from the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will converge today at the Conrad Manila for the opening of the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crimes (11th AMMTC) which aims to strengthen regional strategies and cooperation to combat transnational crimes.

One of the highlights of the fourday event is the Second Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Rise of Radicalization and Violent Extremism (2nd SAMMRRVE) which will be convened to provide a platform for ASEAN member states to exchange experiences, views, and ideas on the best practices in handling the issues of radicalization and violent extremism.

The Philippines is hosting the fourday meet as part of its chairmanship of the ASEAN’s 50th founding anniversary this year.

Interior and Local Governments Acting Secretary Catalino S. Cuy and AMMTC leader said the Philippines is proud and honored to host this year’s meet considering that it is also very active in promoting and taking action against transnational crimes, particularly trafficking in persons.

“We take great pride in hosting this year’s AMMTC and the ASEAN Summit. We all recognize the magnitude and complexity of combating transnational crime and what we will be doing for the next five days will be crucial in our collaborative effort against this regional concern,” Cuy said.

Considered as transnational crimes are terrorism, illegal drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, arms smuggling, money laundering, sea piracy, cybercrime, economic crime, environmental crime, intellectual property theft, and smuggling of cultural property.

Ministers and officials of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea will actively participate as dialogue partners.

The member-countries of ASEAN are Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei.