18 TH ASIAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE
March 16-17, 2004
EDSA Shangri-La, Mandaluyong City
The two-day activity was attended by 37 member countries with 32 observers from several international organizations. All major details of the seven (7) point agenda and Interpol's core functions and priorities were discussed.
Important issues and concerns taken up were the following:
• Interpol Key Priorities . The Services and I-24/7 Development was discussed giving emphasis on the relevance of I-24/7 as Interpol's primary means of communication and an important new too to deal with transnational crimes. The IPSG encouraged member-countries to be connected to the system while those already connected were encouraged to take advantage of the maximum benefit from using I-24/7 system.
• Data Services and Databases . Member countires were encouraged to make use of the service of the Interpol network and databases as part of their regional and global fight against crime specifically, the database of stolen travel documents, which is vital tool ion counter-terrorist measures. Member countries should also make full use of the General Secretariat command and coordinations centers in the region which provides a 24-hour operational support basis to NCBs worldwide to help identify, track, locate and arrest criminals fast and easy.
• Operations Support . An overview of the4 red notices, data matching and the International Lookout System was presented. Delegates welcomed the introduction of new Orange notice which warns public instirutions and other international organizations about potential threats posed by disguised weapons, parcel bombs and other dangerous objects or materials.
• Synthetic Drugs. The speakers focused their presentation on the rapid trend of synthetic drug trafficking globally. Member countries recognized the increasing threat posed by the growth in production and use of synthetic drugs in the region. They also acknowledged that regional effectiveness in combating synthetic drugs can be improved by active use of Interpol databases on this type on crime and encouraged the active involvement in project “SYDRUG”, including the exchange of data through Interpol channels.
• Anti-Terrorism Efforts. IPSG presented an overview of potential terrorism threats, the assessment of the situation, Interpol project and terrorist financing. Delegates recognized that the Interpol has undertaken numerous strategic and operational activities to meet the needs of member countries countering terrorism and that Interpol's projects on the combating terrorism make a significant contribution to these initiatives including the exchange of data through Interpol channels.
• Trafficking in Human Beings. Country report presentations were discussed by NCB-Bangkok and NCB-Colombo on the Trafficking of Human Beings. Delegates recognized the need to increase efforts to identify victims of child sexual abuse images on the Internet by submitting images of crime scenes and child abuse for inclusion in Interpol's image-matching database. Member countries also agreed to support investigations to identify child abusers who purchased images of child abuse and access to child abuse images through the Internet.
• New Interpretation of Rules to help fight terrorism. Representatives from IPSG Legal Department discussed Article 3 of the Interpol Charter concerning the prohibition on Interpol's involvement in political matters. Delegates endorsed Mr Ronald K Noble, ICPO-Secretary General's interim decision on the interpretation of Article 3 of its constitution. This is being revisited in order to make the Interpol Red Notice a more effective tool in the search for individuals who might pose a potential terrorist threat. Also discussed were the Terms of References and Draft Services Standards.