STATEMENT AT THE 80TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS 108 AND 109

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 has become increasingly pervasive and sophisticated, exploiting technological advancements and exacerbated by the reopening of borders in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period. This poses an acute challenge in regions like Southeast Asia, whose countries are deeply interconnected. ASEAN reaffirms its deep commitment to safeguarding both our regional and global community against transnational crime and extremism. In September this year, ASEAN convened the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) to coordinate ASEAN’s policies and responses to transnational threats. At the meeting, ASEAN leaders renewed the Plan of Action on Combatting Transnational Crime (2026-2035), reflecting our shared commitment and collective responsibility in preventing and combating transnational crime in the region in an effective and timely manner.  

3 The scrouge of illicit drugs also continues to be a pressing concern in our region. Earlier this year, the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported on the rapid growth of the synthetic drug market in East and Southeast Asia, and the seizure of a record high amount of 236 tons of methamphetamine in the region in 2024. This is an alarming 24% increase compared to the previous year and underscores the growing severity of the drug problem in our region. 

4 These developments reinforce the need for sustained, collective action to protect our region from the harmful impact of illicit drugs. Illicit drugs are harmful and impose severe costs on individuals, their families and society at large. ASEAN strongly supports the centrality of the three international drug control conventions which must continue to serve as the cornerstone of global drug policy. We will not waver in our zero-tolerance approach to illicit drugs, and our vision of a Drug-Free ASEAN. 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. We will also continue to work closely with the UNODC to share best practices to eradicate the illicit manufacture and trafficking of illicit drugs, to comprehensively combat the world drug problem.

Mr Chair,

5 Terrorism continues to pose a grave challenge to peace and security in our region and globally, threatening the stability and unity of societies. The rapid growth of digital connectivity has also created new avenues for radicalisation online. ASEAN remains steadfast in ensuring that terrorism does not gain ground within our region. We are advancing a holistic approach that combines early engagement with young people, rehabilitation and reintegration of affected individuals, and stronger cross-border cooperation. These efforts are anchored in our regional instruments, notably the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism and the Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism, which provide the legal foundation and practical roadmap for ASEAN’s collective efforts to prevent, combat and ultimately eradicate terrorism.

6 Another persistent threat in our region relates to trafficking-in-persons, particularly the exploitation of women and children who are among the most vulnerable in our societies. The ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP), together with its associated Plan of Action, continues to guide our comprehensive and coordinated regional response. We continue to review and strengthen our victim-centred protection frameworks to ensure that survivors are treated with dignity, provided access to justice, and given opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration. ASEAN officially adopted the "Guidelines on the Implementation of the Non-Punishment Principle for Protection of Victims of Trafficking in Persons" in June this year. These Guidelines are aimed at ensuring that victims of trafficking are protected from criminal liability for unlawful acts committed as a direct consequence of their trafficking experience. We will also continue to intensify cross-border cooperation to disrupt trafficking networks, improve information-sharing among law enforcement agencies, and tackle the financial flows that enable this crime. We remain alert to emerging trends, including trafficking linked to scam centers and the misuse of digital platforms, which will demand innovative solutions and closer collaboration with international partners.

Mr Chair,

7 Cybercrime and scams continue to be one of the fastest-growing threats in the post-pandemic era, where digital technologies are now woven into nearly every aspect of our daily life. In 2024 alone, global losses to scams amounted to US$1.03 trillion.  Criminal groups have capitalised on this dependence and the very conveniences that make digital services indispensable — speed, accessibility, and connectivity — leaving societies exposed to evolving risks that transcend borders. 

8 ASEAN therefore underscores the importance of strengthening international cooperation, building collective resilience, and developing innovative safeguards to ensure that digital transformation remains an enabler of progress. At the 19th AMMTC, Member States adopted the ASEAN Declaration on Combating Cybercrime and Online Scams, reaffirming our shared commitment to address this growing regional threat in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. To deepen policy, operational, legal and technical expertise in the region, ASEAN also continues to spearhead 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. The launch of the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Singapore last year promotes and facilitates timely information sharing to better support the work of all ASEAN Member States. Together, these platforms and initiatives have allowed us to better equip Member States to tackle increasingly sophisticated cross-border cyber threats. 

Mr Chair,

9 ASEAN’s collective experiences demonstrate that robust regional cooperation, reinforced by strong international partnerships, is indispensable in addressing the complex challenges of transnational crime and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ASEAN therefore reaffirms its resolve to work closely with the United Nations and the wider international community to ensure a safe and secure Southeast Asia, where over 650 million people can continue to live in safety, security and dignity and are able to fulfil their aspirations free from the scourge of illicit drugs and crime.