STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE 79TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS AT THE GENERAL DISCUSSION ON AGENDA ITEMS 107, 108 AND 109: ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, COUNTERING THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES FOR CRIMINAL PURPOSES, AND INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL, THIRD COMMITTEE, 7 OCTOBER 2024

Mr Chair,

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

2 Transnational crime is pervasive and complex, taking advantage of   technological advancements and compounded by the post-pandemic reopening of borders. ASEAN is committed to working with the international community to combat transnational crime. In August this year, ASEAN convened the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) to coordinate ASEAN’s policies and responses to transnational threats. At the meeting, ASEAN leaders reaffirmed the ASEAN Plan of Action in Combating Transnational Crime (2016-2025), reflecting our shared commitment and collective responsibility in preventing and combating transnational crime in the region in an effective and timely manner.  

3 The scourge of illicit drugs continues to be a pressing issue of concern. The UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported earlier this year of the rapid growth of the synthetic drug market in East and Southeast Asia, and the seizure of a record high amount of 190 tonnes of methamphetamine in the region in 2023. This is a staggering number, and underscores the severity of the drug problem in our region. 

4 Illicit drugs are harmful and impose heavy costs to individuals, their families, and society at large. ASEAN will not waver in our zero-tolerance approach against illicit drugs, and our shared commitment to our vision of a Drug-Free ASEAN. We reaffirmed this commitment in our ASEAN Joint Statement during the 67th Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in March 2024, and in the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation to Combat illicit Drug Trafficking and Precursor Chemicals. ASEAN will continue to strengthen regional cooperation on this issue through the regular ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters and its related meetings and mechanisms, the ASEAN Narcotics Cooperation Center (ASEAN-NARCO), and various ASEAN Task Forces. 

5 ASEAN strongly supports the centrality of the three international drug control conventions which must continue to serve as the cornerstone of global drug policy. ASEAN strongly reaffirms our continued support for the CND in its role as the principal policy-making body of the United Nations on all matters of international drug control. We will continue to work with the UNODC to share best practices, including alternative development as a means to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, and find effective strategies to eradicate illicit manufacture and trafficking of illicit drugs, including trafficking of precursor chemicals and synthetic drugs, and comprehensively counter the world drug problem.

Mr Chair,

6 Terrorism continues to be a grave security concern for our region and the world, threatening to destabilise and fragment our societies. Digitalisation and improved access to the internet have increased the potential for online radicalisation. ASEAN is determined not to give terrorism a foothold in our communities. We have adopted a sustained and proactive approach against radicalisation, in particular through dialogue and engagement with our youth, and through rehabilitation and integration. Our strategy is also complemented by enhanced regional cooperation and effective counter-terrorism protocols, as guided by the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism and the ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism.

7 Another challenge in our region exacerbated by the post-pandemic lifting of restrictions is trafficking-in-persons. The ASEAN Convention Against 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. ASEAN is committed to preventing trafficking in persons and protecting the most vulnerable. Our key strategies of prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership to combat trafficking in persons are outlined in the ASEAN Multi-Sectoral Work Plan Against Trafficking in Persons (2023-2028) which was adopted in August 2023. We also recognise that victims of online job scams could be regarded as victims of trafficking in persons as they are usually tricked overseas and held captive thereafter. As such, earlier this year, ASEAN adopted the Vientiane Declaration on Enhancing Law Enforcement Cooperation Against Online Job Scams at the 18th AMMTC to strengthen cooperation, especially between law enforcement and border agencies, to tackle online job scams and associated crimes.

Mr Chair,

8 Cybercrime and scams are a growing and persistent threat in a post-pandemic era where things are “digital by default”. Over the past two years, global losses to scams amounted to US$1.02 trillion. In our region, scam syndicates accounted for losses of up to US$64 billion. Scams and cybercrime know no borders, and cooperation among ASEAN Member States is vital in tackling this transnational threat. As part of our efforts to enhance safety and security in cyberspace, ASEAN developed an ASEAN Cyber Cooperation Strategy (2021-2025) with various dimensions of work, including strengthening regional cyber policy coordination and capacity building. One such move is the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Singapore to promote and facilitate timely information sharing to better support the work of the national CERTs in ASEAN Member States. ASEAN also spearheads cybersecurity capacity-building for member states through the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence and the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC) in Bangkok, to deepen policy, operational, legal and technical expertise in the region. ASEAN also coordinates efforts through the ASEAN Working Group on Anti-Online Scam. These initiatives have allowed us to better equip our national CERTs with the tools and knowledge to deal with increasingly sophisticated cross-border cyber threats. 

9 ASEAN welcomes the adoption of the draft United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime this August, which marks a milestone in our collective pursuit of a secure and resilient digital future. ASEAN fully supports Viet Nam's pledge to host the signing ceremony of the convention in 2025.

10 Other moves that ASEAN is making to combat transnational crimes include developing the ASEAN Border Management Cooperation Roadmap with an aim to enhance information sharing and intelligence exchange, strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies, and improve the efficiency of immigration authorities, as mandated by the 26th ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Division Meeting (DGICM) held in Phuket, Thailand, last year. 

Mr Chair,

11 ASEAN has demonstrated that close regional and international cooperation is critical in combating transnational crime, and making progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ASEAN will continue to work together and with the international community to provide a safe and secure Southeast Asia for over 650 million citizens, to live full lives without fear of the influence of illicit drugs and crime.

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