STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE 77TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS AT THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE ON AGENDA ITEMS 109, 110, 111: CRIME, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, DRUGS, THIRD COMMITTEE, 3 OCTOBER 2022

Mr. Chair,

1 I am pleased to speak on behalf of the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

2 The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed our world, from disrupting global supply chains, to changing the way that individuals work and conduct our social lives. The threat of transnational crime has grown in scope and complexity across national jurisdictions, with criminals taking advantage of technological trends and other opportunities created by the pandemic. The pervasive and evolving nature of this threat necessitates enhanced regional and international cooperation. ASEAN is committed to working with the international community to combat transnational crime.

3 The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) is convened annually to coordinate our policies and responses to transnational threats, including terrorism, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, arms smuggling, sea piracy, money laundering, and cybercrime. Last year, the 15^th AMMTC adopted the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration on Combating Transnational Crime Post-Covid-19 Pandemic, building on the ASEAN Plan of Action in Combating Transnational Crime. The Declaration addressed new and evolving transnational crime trends in the post-pandemic landscape, and reaffirmed ASEAN’s shared commitment and collective responsibility in combating transnational crime in the region.

Mr. Chair,

4 Terrorism continues to be a grave security concern for our region and the world, threatening to destabilise and fragment our societies. ASEAN is determined not to give terrorism a foothold in our communities. We adopted the Work Plan of the ASEAN Plan of Action to Prevent and Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism in 2019, also known as the Bali Work Plan. Together with the Manila Declaration to Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism, it reflects ASEAN’s long-term approach to prevent radicalisation by promoting dialogue and engagement amongst young people, and through rehabilitation and reintegration. Our strategy complements counter-radicalisation with robust enforcement and detection. The ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism forms the bedrock of regional cooperation amongst our law enforcement agencies, while the ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism strengthens national efforts by enhancing combined operational capabilities and establishing effective counter-terrorism protocols. At the international level, ASEAN has also deepened cooperation with other regional organisations through new strategic partnerships, including through the ASEAN-EU Work Plan to Combat Terrorism and Transnational Crime (2022-2024).

5 Another challenge in the region that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic is trafficking in persons. As a region with heavy cross-border flows, ASEAN is committed to preventing trafficking in persons and to protecting the most vulnerable. The ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (ACTIP) recognises trafficking in persons as a violation of human rights and an offence to the dignity of human beings. We have taken concrete steps to implement the Bohol Trafficking in Persons Work Plan (2017-2020) and the ASEAN Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons. Our key strategies laid out in these plans, namely prevention, protection, enforcement, and cooperation, enable us to bring traffickers to justice and to safeguard our citizens from harm. ASEAN is in the process of developing the next iteration of the Bohol Trafficking in Persons Work Plan (2022-2027), demonstrating our continued commitment to combating trafficking in persons.

Mr. Chair,

6 The UNODC reported earlier this year that a record haul of over one billion methamphetamine tablets were seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2021, seven times higher than it was 10 years ago. This reflects the severity of the drug problem in our region. ASEAN aims to eliminate illicit drugs and its abuse in our societies by adopting a zero-tolerance approach towards illicit drugs. Illicit drugs are harmful and impose heavy costs to the individual, their families and society at large. We stand united in our vision of a Drug-Free ASEAN, and will not waver in our efforts to protect our families and communities from the devastating impact of illicit drugs.

7 The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters (AMMD) is held biennially to coordinate ASEAN’s drug enforcement efforts. At the 7^th AMMD in 2021, ASEAN leaders reaffirmed our strong commitment to continue the effective and expeditious implementation of the ASEAN Cooperation Plan to Tackle Illicit Drug Production and Trafficking in the Golden Triangle (2020-2022), as well as the ASEAN Work Plan on Securing Communities Against Illicit Drugs (2016-2025). Our Plans are backed by strong execution through regional operational units like the ASEAN Airport Interdiction Task Force and the ASEAN Seaport Interdiction Task Force, which have disrupted syndicate operations and curtailed the regional flow of drugs. The ASEAN Narcotics Cooperation Centre and the ASEAN Drug Monitoring Network are vital platforms for information sharing and coordination between member states.

8 ASEAN strongly supports the centrality of the three international drug control conventions, which serve as the cornerstone of global drug policy. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the UN in tackling the world drug problem. In particular, ASEAN reaffirms our support for the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in its role as the principal policy-making organ of the UN for all drug-related policies and issues. We will also continue working with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, to share best practices and find effective strategies to eradicate illicit drugs and combat international crime.

Mr. Chair,

9 Cybercrime is a growing and persistent transboundary challenge that is constantly evolving and threatens all countries. The increasing use of information and communications technologies has provided criminals with more opportunities and vulnerabilities to exploit. ASEAN continues to face heightened risks from cybercrime, as our region grows in digital connectivity and financial integration. The only way to effectively tackle this problem is through steadfast global cooperation in preventing, detecting, and responding to these evolving threats as soon as they arise. As such, ASEAN is actively engaged in discussions at the ongoing Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes.

10 ASEAN has taken concerted efforts to address the challenge of cybercrime by strengthening cyber resilience and stability in our region. We have adopted the ASEAN Declaration to Prevent and Combat Cybercrime, and formed a Working Group on Cybercrime to coordinate a regional approach and build capacity across all member states. The ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, an extension of the ASEAN Cyber Capacity Programme, continues to deepen legal and technical expertise and to improve collaboration within the region. Since its establishment in 2019, the Centre has delivered more than 30 programmes attended by over 900 senior officials from ASEAN and beyond, and collaborated with over 40 partners from across governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

Mr. Chair,

11 ASEAN’s experience demonstrates that unity is strength, in the fight against transnational crime. Close regional and international collaboration are critical to strengthening our criminal justice systems, which in turn makes an important contribution to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ASEAN will continue to work together and with the international community, to provide a secure Southeast Asia for over 650 million citizens, and to make the world a safer place for all. Thank you.

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