Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan (center) and Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang (second right) are joined by other guests in giving the thumbs-up at the opening of the 2023 International Forum on Police Cooperation Sept. 5 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

The 2023 International Forum on Police Cooperation: Combating Transnational Crime kicked off Sept. 4 in Taipei City as part of government strengthening of a global network against cross-border felonies.

The three-day event is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior and Mainland Affairs Council. Around 2,600 participants from 31 countries in Asia, Africa, the Pacific and North and Latin America are taking part in person or via videoconference.

Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan, Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang, President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police John Letteney and Edwin Manfredo Ardiano Lopez. head of Guatemala’s Civil National Police, were among those in attendance at the forum’s official opening Sept. 5.

During his opening remarks, Cheng said crimes such as cyber fraud scams, drug smuggling, human trafficking and money-laundering are increasingly internationalized, organized and sophisticated. As a trade hub and responsible Asia-Pacific regional stakeholder, Taiwan is committed to working with its global partners to stop this alarming trend.

The Taiwan government will continue to negotiate legal assistance agreements and share its successful experience with the rest of the world to safeguard global security, Cheng added.

According to the MOFA, this event, which was inaugurated in 2018, will also help promote the ministry’s ongoing campaign to canvas global support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the meetings, mechanisms and activities of France-based International Criminal Police Organization and make the world a safer place. (SFC-E)