STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS MS JOPHIE TANG ON AGENDA ITEMS 109: CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND AGENDA ITEM 110: INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL, THIRD COMMITTEE, 4 OCTOBER 2018

Mr. Chair,

1          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          The borderless nature of transnational crime poses a security threat that necessitates enhanced regional and international cooperation. ASEAN member states are committed to working together as well as with the international community to combat transnational crime.

3          At the strategic level, the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) meets regularly to coordinate ASEAN’s policies and responses to transnational threats, including terrorism, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, arms smuggling, sea piracy, money laundering, international economic crime, and cybercrime. Last year, the 11th AMMTC adopted the ASEAN Plan of Action in Combating Transnational Crime (2016-2025), building on the 1999 Plan of Action. Under the new Plan of Action, human smuggling and the illicit trafficking of wildlife and timber were identified as mainstream areas of transnational crimes. As transnational crime evolves and takes on new complexities, the new Plan of Action demonstrates ASEAN’s preparedness to tackle fresh challenges, and reaffirms ASEAN’s resolve to counter and combat transnational crimes through regional cooperation.

Mr. Chair,

4          Terrorism remains a severe threat to our region and the world, and has the potential to destabilise and fragment our communities. We in ASEAN are determined not to let terrorism fester in our society, and adopted the ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism in September 2017. The Comprehensive Plan of Action complements national efforts by enhancing combined operational capabilities and establishing effective protocols on counter-terrorism issues. We have also adopted the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism which forms the bedrock of regional cooperation amongst our law enforcement agencies. That said, our counter-terrorism strategy is not solely focused on enforcement and detection. Under the Manila Declaration to Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism, ASEAN has taken a long-term approach to prevent radicalisation by promoting dialogue and engagement amongst young people, and through rehabilitation and reintegration.

5          As a region with heavy cross-border flows, ASEAN is committed to preventing trafficking in persons and to protecting the most vulnerable. At the 27th ASEAN Summit in 2015, ASEAN leaders signed the ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (ACTIP). The ACTIP acknowledges trafficking in persons as a flagrant violation of human rights without regard for human dignity. ASEAN has also worked on the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and the more recent Bohol Trafficking in Persons Work Plan. These plans identify prevention, protection, enforcement and cooperation as key strategies to bring traffickers to justice and to safeguard our citizens from harm.

Mr. Chair,

6          According to a UNODC report in June 2017 on ‘The Challenges of Synthetic Drugs in East and South-East Asia’, Southeast Asia remains an attractive market for methamphetamines and opiates. While the absolute quantity of drugs seized in our region declined by 6% last year, we cannot afford to ease up on our efforts. Drugs undermine our societies and threaten the national security as well as the sustainable livelihood of our citizens. ASEAN aims to eliminate drugs and its abuse in our societies by embracing a zero-tolerance approach towards drugs.

7          The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters (AMMD) is held biennially to coordinate drug enforcement efforts across the region. At the last AMMD in 2016, the ASEAN Work Plan on Securing Communities Against Illicit Drugs 2016-2025 was adopted. This work plan promotes both intra- and extra-regional cooperation in the areas of preventive education, detection, and rehabilitation. These work plans are not empty rhetoric. The ASEAN Airport Interdiction Task Force and ASEAN Seaport Interdiction Task force have disrupted syndicate operations and curtailed the flow of drugs across the region. We also established the ASEAN Narcotics Cooperation Centre as a coordinating platform for member states to work together on drug-related cases.

8          ASEAN strongly supports the centrality of the three international drug control conventions which remain relevant and shall continue to serve as the cornerstone of global drug policy. We stand united in our vision of a Drug-Free ASEAN, and will remain unstinting in our efforts to protect our families and communities from the devastating impact of illicit drugs.

Mr. Chair,

9          At this year’s session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the UN Secretary-General declared that there was ‘no time to waste’ in tackling cybercrime. As ASEAN continues to grow in digital connectivity and financial integration, our region faces heightened risks from cybercrime.

10        ASEAN is committed to fighting cybercrime and has adopted the ASEAN Declaration to Prevent and Combat Cybercrime. ASEAN has also formed a Working Group on Cybercrime to coordinate a regional cybercrime approach and to build capacity across all member states. The ASEAN Cyber Capacity Programme continues to enhance both legal and technical expertise, and improve collaboration within ASEAN. ASEAN remains committed to building a secure and resilient cyberspace for all.

Mr Chair,

11        ASEAN’s experience is that transnational crimes can best be tackled through close regional and international collaboration. When it comes to fighting transnational crime, unity is strength. ASEAN will continue to work together as well as with the international community to provide a safe and secure South East Asia for our 650 million citizens. Thank you.

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