08 Oct 2015
Mr. Chairman,
It gives me great pleasure to speak on behalf of the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
2 As a result of globalization, technological advancement and greater mobility of people and resources across national borders, transnational crime has increased in scope and complexity. The pervasiveness of transnational crime poses a security threat that requires enhanced regional and international cooperation. ASEAN member states are committed to working together to combat transnational crimes and disrupt the activities of transnational crime syndicates.
3 The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) oversees ASEAN’s cooperation in addressing transnational crime. Through the implementation of ASEAN’s Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime, the region’s capacity to deal with transnational terrorism, illegal drug trafficking, arms smuggling, money laundering, trafficking in persons, cybercrime and sea piracy has been strengthened significantly.
4 This year on 30 September, the 10th AMMTC took a significant step in addressing trafficking in persons by endorsing the ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons (ACTIP) and the ASEAN Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (APA). An Emergency ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (EAMMTC) was also convened in July 2015 in Malaysia, which resulted in the issuance of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Irregular Movement of Persons in Southeast Asia. The Declaration highlights the region’s commitment to addressing the irregular movement of persons due to trafficking in persons and people smuggling. The EAMMTC also supported the establishment of a trust fund to assist ASEAN member states in addressing this issue.
5 ASEAN reaffirms that it is an imperative to eliminate terrorism, which poses a grave security threat. ASEAN’s Convention on Counter-Terrorism serves as a framework for the coordination of regional efforts to prevent and suppress terrorism, as well as to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation. The Convention aligns ASEAN’s counter-terrorism efforts with the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy as well as relevant UN resolutions and conventions, enabling ASEAN to play an active role in supporting efforts to maintain international peace and security.
6 ASEAN has also taken proactive steps in dealing with emerging forms of transnational crime. The ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime established a dedicated Working Group on Cybercrime in 2014, with the aim of restructuring and enhancing ASEAN’s cybercrime efforts. A Special Ministerial Meeting on the Rise of Radicalization and Violent Extremism was convened just a few days ago on 2 October 2015 in Malaysia, as part of ASEAN’s efforts to combat the growing threat of radicalization.
Mr. Chairman,
7 The international and regional drug situation continues to be challenging, with increasing global production and use of illicit drugs. Opium poppy cultivation worldwide has risen to record levels, with increases in global seizures of heroin, cannabis and methamphetamine. Especially worrying is the rapid proliferation of new psychoactive substances (NPS). By December 2014, the number of NPS reported internationally rose to 541 substances from the 430 substances recorded in 2013, far outnumbering the 243 substances currently controlled under the United Nations Drug Conventions. Unfortunately, technology has enabled drug transactions to take place online anonymously, posing a major obstacle for law enforcement officials in tracing those involved in the transactions.
8 In 1998, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the World Drug Problem embraced the vision of a “Drug-Free World” and the eradication of drug supply and abuse. I am pleased to say that in support of this vision, ASEAN Leaders declared in 2012 their commitment to intensifying concerted efforts to realize the goal of a Drug-Free ASEAN Community, and have steadfastly maintained a zero-tolerance approach against drugs. Conscious that failure to effectively deal with the drug problem will threaten social stability, national security and the rule of law, ASEAN stands united in opposing the scourge of drugs, so as to provide our people and communities with a society free from drug abuse.
9 ASEAN has made significant progress in the fight against drugs. We have intensified anti-drug trafficking operations, and created new platforms like the ASEAN Airport Interdiction Task Force and the ASEAN Narcotics Coordination Centre. These initiatives have successfully disrupted drug syndicate operations, and improved coordination and information flows between law enforcement agencies in the region. Notably, we have recently institutionalized the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters, which will further strengthen ASEAN cooperation in this respect.
10 Today, the vision of a Drug-Free ASEAN Community continues to guide our regional policies and strategies. ASEAN’s approach to the drug problem has been to address it in a balanced manner that involves drug demand and drug supply reduction measures. A comprehensive combination of upstream preventive measures and downstream enforcement and intervention measures is necessary in tackling the drug problem. In addition, ASEAN affirms that the three international drug conventions and other relevant international instruments constitute the cornerstone of the international drug control system, and ASEAN emphasizes their continued relevance in meeting the challenges of drug control in the 21st century.
11 The UNGASS on the World Drug Problem in 2016 will be a platform for countries to decide how to best continue the global fight against drugs. ASEAN recognizes that each country faces unique challenges in the fight against drug abuse and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to eliminating the scourge of drugs. The ASEAN region comprises countries that vary significantly in their economic and social development, as well as their historical and social context. Nevertheless, ASEAN will remain united in our pursuit of a Drug-Free ASEAN Community, so as to protect our youths, our families, and our societies from the harms of drug abuse.
Mr. Chairman,
12 We have achieved much as a region in combating transnational crimes and in dealing with the problem of drugs, but work still remains to be done. ASEAN has demonstrated that by working together as a community, we can send a strong message to international crime and drug syndicates that ASEAN will not allow such organizations to gain a foothold in the region. ASEAN will continue to strive for a safe Southeast Asia, where our citizens can live full lives without fear of the influence of drugs and crime. Thank you.
. . . . .