Rome, Italy:--- Minister of Justice Roland Duncan and Chief Commissioner of Police Peter de Witte are presently attending the 81st General Assembly (GA) of Interpol in Rome (Italy) from November 5th through November 9th, 2012.
Rome attracted a record number of participants. 100 ministers and 176 countries are participating in the 81st GA, including St. Maarten, Aruba, Curacao, and the Netherlands. There were also a number of NGO's and organizations such as EUROPOL as part of the audience;
The daily programs are full from early morning until late in the evening. The first conference day was a ministerial meeting. Human trafficking, urban violence, youth violence, organized crime, terrorist violence were the main topics for that first day and in particular what the role of the police is in these subjects.
Countries such as Mexico, Japan, Uganda, Italy, Spain and India, South Africa, Vatican City State, Singapore, Colombia, Pakistan gave introductions on various topics.
The Ministers endorsed a declaration at the end of evening on the Conclusion of the Ministerial meeting on the challenges facing the police on violent crime:
- Condemning all acts of criminal violence;
- Upholding the right and responsibility of each state to maintain there security or its borders;
- Strive to strengthen national and transnational police cooperation, in particular through the efficient sharing or Crucial crime related information;
- Call upon all stakeholders to consider the development and delivery of relevant training and technical assistance for law enforcement;
- Fully support the Interpol Ministerial meetings.
On the second day of the conference the Minister of Justice and the Chief of Police had a personal interview with the Secretary General Ronald Noble.
The second day and the days that followed were regarding the official 81st GA conference.
The opening and closing are typically associated with many protocols.
At the opening of the conference tribute was paid to all colleagues who lost their lives in the line of duty and which are unfortunately far too many worldwide.
Naturally, the domestic issues such as, approval of the auditors' statements, annual and strategic foresight 2013, election of representatives of the countries in the executive committee fixed issues.
Figures from last year speak for themselves. To give an example;
There are a daily average of 2.8 million queries on the system of Interpol. Daily there are approximately 27 persons who are arrested on "red notice", 170 stolen passports retrieved and perpetrators arrested.
The topics that were previously scheduled on the ministerial meeting were discussed in a more specified and detailed manner!
In addition the following topics were discussed;
- Combating drug-and arms crime;
- Technology and Innovation:
- Combating trafficking in illicit goods, including illegal drugs.
- International telecommunication-related to Combating international crime; Money-laundering and international cooperation and forging alliances
The conference will conclude with a visit to the Vatican and the Pope.
The conference can be regarded both organizationally and to its content as highly successful.
KPSM Press Release
