ASEANAPOL

Leadership is not only about fighting crime after it happens.
It is about preventing people from becoming victims in the first place.

On 19 August, ASEANAPOL Secretariat forward to joining the ASEAN Anti-Scam Campaign at UTAR and exchanging ideas with the next generation on one of today’s most urgent challenges — scams.

Technology may change. Criminal tactics may evolve.
But one powerful defence remains with every one of us:

The ability to stop, think, check and verify.

If we can turn awareness into habit, habit into resilience, and resilience into collective action, we can protect far more people than enforcement alone ever could.

Think with awareness. Act with caution. Protect one another.

Together we keep this region safe.



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ASEANAPOL–KNPA: Strengthening Partnerships, Advancing Regional Security

Marriot Hotel MANILA, PHILIPPINES | 25 JULY 2026

The ASEANAPOL Secretariat held a Bilateral Meeting with the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) on the sidelines of the 44th ASEANAPOL Conference, led by Director General Superintendent General Park Jun Sung, Head of the Korean Delegation, and chaired by Police Senior Colonel Dr. Kongkrissada Khittithiraphong, Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat. The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between ASEANAPOL and KNPA and provided a valuable platform to exchange views on strengthening regional law enforcement cooperation.

Both parties highlighted the importance of enhancing information exchange, operational cooperation, capacity building and professional exchanges, while exploring opportunities for joint programmes, study visits and expert engagement. Discussions also covered the proposed rescheduling of the Royal Brunei Police Force Study Visit from 2028 to 2029, as well as the proposed deployment of an additional KNPA officer to further support ASEANAPOL-related cooperation, subject to the relevant approval process.

The meeting concluded in a warm, constructive and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the shared commitment of KNPA and ASEANAPOL to maintaining close communication, strengthening mutual cooperation and developing practical initiatives to address emerging transnational crime challenges. Through continued partnership and collective efforts, both sides remain committed to building stronger regional police networks and contributing towards a safer, more secure and resilient ASEAN region.

ASEANAPOL Secretariat — Connecting Police, Strengthening Partnerships, Securing the Region.



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ASEANAPOL–GCCPOL: Advancing the Joint Plan of Action

Marriott Hotel, Manila, Philippines | 25 July 2026

The ASEANAPOL Secretariat and the Gulf Cooperation Council Police (GCCPOL) held a bilateral meeting to follow up on the Joint Plan of Action previously agreed between both organisations.

The meeting was chaired by Police Senior Colonel Dr. Kongkrissada Kittithiraphong, Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, with the GCCPOL delegation led by Colonel Ahmed Alkaabi, Head of the GCCPOL Delegation.

The Joint Plan of Action provides a framework for ASEANAPOL and GCCPOL to strengthen cooperation in combating multiple forms of transnational crime that pose common and interconnected threats across Southeast Asia and the Gulf region.

ASEANAPOL has completed its internal process and endorsed the Joint Plan of Action, while GCCPOL is currently undertaking its respective internal process to obtain the necessary approval.

Upon completion of this process, ASEANAPOL and GCCPOL will continue discussions on the details, priority areas and implementation arrangements, with the aim of translating the agreed framework into practical cooperation and coordinated action between the two regions.

This progress marks another important step towards strengthening ASEANAPOL–GCCPOL cooperation and developing a more effective cross-regional response to shared transnational crime threats.

ASEANAPOL Secretariat — Connecting Regions, Strengthening Cooperation, Turning Commitment into Action.



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ASEANAPOL Secretariat–International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Bilateral Meeting.

Along with 44th ASEANAPOL Conference, Manila, Philippines, on 24 July 2026, Police Senior Colonel Dr. Kongkrissada Kittithiraphong, Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, held a bilateral meeting with Mr. David B. Rausch, President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

The discussion focused on strengthening strategic cooperation in capacity building, professional development, training, membership engagement, and international law enforcement collaboration.

Both sides explored opportunities for closer institutional engagement, including the proposed ASEANAPOL Academy initiative, access to IACP’s global training network, women’s leadership development, sustainable funding partnerships, and potential pathways for enhanced ASEANAPOL–IACP cooperation.

The engagement reflects the shared commitment to strengthening professional policing networks and advancing regional and international law enforcement cooperation.



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Strategic Consultation between ASEANAPOL Secretariat and ASEAN Secretariat
On 23 July 2026, in conjunction to the 44th ASEANAPOL Conference 2026 which was successful held in Manila, Philippines, Police Senior Colonel Dr. Kongkrissada Kittithiraphong, Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, held a strategic consultation with Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Political-Security Community.

The discussion covered ASEANAPOL’s institutional framework, legal personality, externally funded initiatives, and mechanisms to support its expanding regional and international partnerships.

Both sides exchanged views on strengthening institutional arrangements, financial governance, and ASEAN coordination mechanisms to support ASEANAPOL’s evolving operational needs and regional mandate.



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Think with Vision. Act with Unity. Deliver with Results.

For the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, these are not merely words. They are the principles that have guided our work and have been proven through real implementation over the past six months.

Think with Vision means setting a simple, clear, and focused direction, identifying regional priorities, and concentrating on what creates meaningful and lasting value for our Member Countries.

Act with Unity means working together with Member Countries, Dialogue Partners, and strategic partners through transparency, fairness, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to the common good. Without unity, coordination has no strength. If it does not lead to action, it does not meet the standard.

Deliver with Results means transforming every commitment, discussion, and resolution into tangible outcomes that are measurable, implementable, and sustainable.

Through this approach, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat has achieved several significant milestones within just six months, including the advancement of the ASEANAPOL Scam Combat Taskforce (ASCOT), the eADSAI Platform, and the ASEANAPOL Plan of Action to Eliminate Scams.

Our network has also been strengthened through the admission of the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) into the ASEANAPOL family, the inclusion of the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates (MOI UAE) as a new Dialogue Partner, and the development of the Joint Action Plan between ASEANAPOL and GCCPOL to enhance practical cooperation between our two regions.

These achievements reflect the collective efforts of our Member Countries, Dialogue Partners, strategic partners, and the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, working together under a shared vision and common purpose.

Every moment matters. We therefore invest our time in thinking strategically, acting collectively, and delivering meaningful outcomes that strengthen regional security.

Success is not defined by words alone, but by the real results we deliver.

This is only the beginning.

Together, we Think with Vision.
Together, we Act with Unity.
Together, we Deliver with Results.
Together, we keep our region safe.

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"Together We Keep This Region Safe

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 31 July 2026

The ASEANAPOL Secretariat convened a virtual coordination meeting with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Group-IB, and TRADAX to further strengthen the development of the Electronic ASEAN Database System (EADS), a key digital initiative aimed at enhancing secure information sharing and operational cooperation among ASEANAPOL Member Countries.

Chaired by Police Senior Colonel Dr. Kongkrissada Khittithiraphong, Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, the meeting reviewed the latest progress of EADS development and explored future enhancements to support cross-border law enforcement collaboration in addressing emerging transnational crime challenges.

The meeting highlighted significant milestones achieved in the implementation of EADS, including the successful deployment of the A-Network communication platform, the completion of the A-Database module covering eight core crime areas — Terrorism, Arms Smuggling, Illicit Drug Trafficking, Wildlife Crime, Financial Crime, Trafficking in Persons, Cybercrime, and Maritime Crime — as well as the operationalisation of the A-Academy event and meeting management functions.

Discussions also focused on strengthening the platform’s future capabilities through an API-first architecture, enabling greater interoperability and potential integration with relevant partner systems. TRADAX provided updates on the database module development, while UNODC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the enhancement of the Cybercrime and Financial Crime modules through dedicated technical cooperation.

Group-IB further shared its advanced tokenization technology, which has the potential to enhance secure cross-border information exchange while protecting sensitive data through privacy-preserving solutions. The technology was recognised as a valuable consideration in strengthening the security and reliability of the EADS platform.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment among ASEANAPOL, UNODC, Group-IB, and TRADAX to continue advancing a secure, interoperable, and technology-driven information-sharing ecosystem to support cross-border criminal investigations and strengthen regional law enforcement cooperation.

The next coordination meeting is scheduled for 14 August 2026 to review ongoing implementation progress and address further technical developments.

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30 July 2026 | Virtual Meeting

The 2nd Dialogue Working Group (DWG) Meeting on “The Lawful Access Challenge and Regional Cooperation on Digital Evidence” brought together representatives from INTERPOL, AFRIPOL, AIMC, AMERIPOL, ASEANAPOL, Caribbean regional organizations, and international partners to address emerging challenges in accessing digital evidence for law enforcement investigations.

The meeting was attended by Police Senior Colonel Dr. Kongkrissada Kittithiraphong, Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, and Senior Superintendent of Police Huntal Tambunan, Director of Police Services, ASEANAPOL Secretariat, reaffirming the Secretariat’s commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in combating transnational crime.

Discussions highlighted the growing impact of lawful access challenges on combating cybercrime, financial crime, fraud, and online child sexual exploitation, underscoring the importance of stronger international cooperation, harmonised legal frameworks, and enhanced engagement with technology service providers.

Regional organizations also presented ongoing efforts to strengthen cyber cooperation, digital evidence management, and cross-border information sharing.

ASEANAPOL highlighted its continued commitment to regional collaboration through key initiatives, including the outcomes of the 44th ASEANAPOL Conference in Manila, the establishment of the ASEANAPOL Scam Combat Task Force (ASCOT), the development of the Electronic Lawful Data Sharing (ELDS) platform, and enhanced cooperation in addressing financial crime, cryptocurrency-related offences, and other forms of transnational crime.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing lawful access mechanisms, strengthening partnerships with technology providers, and enhancing collective capabilities to ensure timely and effective access to digital evidence in support of global law enforcement efforts.

Together, we strengthen cooperation. Together, we combat transnational crime.

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The ASEANAPOL Secretariat convened a Virtual Coordination Meeting on 30 July 2026, bringing together representatives from ASEANAPOL Member Countries (AMCs), the ASEAN Secretariat, INTERPOL, the Japan Mission Team (JMT), and other key stakeholders to strengthen collective efforts in addressing emerging transnational crime challenges.

Chaired by Police Senior Colonel Dr. Kongkrissada Kittithiraphong, Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, the meeting highlighted the importance of enhanced cooperation, operational coordination, and information sharing among ASEAN law enforcement partners.

Key discussions focused on several strategic initiatives, including the upcoming Study Visit on Scam Centre Operations in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, which aims to promote the exchange of best practices and strengthen regional approaches in combating scam-related crimes.

The meeting also advanced discussions on the i2LEC Environmental Crime Operation, supported by the United Arab Emirates, to enhance cooperation in tackling environmental crimes; the establishment of official ASEANAPOL email accounts to strengthen secure communication among Member Countries; and the Freeland Tripod Wildlife Crime Training Programme to further enhance capacity-building efforts against wildlife trafficking.

Through these collaborative initiatives, ASEANAPOL continues to promote a unified regional response, strengthen law enforcement partnerships, and develop sustainable solutions to address complex transnational crime threats.

United through cooperation. Stronger through partnership. Together, building a safer and more secure ASEAN.

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"Together We Keep This Region Safe

The 44th ASEAN Chiefs of National Police Conference (ASEANAPOL) was successfully conducted in Manila, Philippines from 22 to 26 July 2026. The Philippines, through the Philippine National Police (PNP), hosted the region’s premier law enforcement gathering this year.

Overview and Theme

Held in Pasay City, Manila, the five-day conference carried the theme “United in Vision: Securing People and Strengthening Collaboration”.

The event drew 186 confirmed delegates from ASEAN Member Countries, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, Dialogue Partners, and Observer organizations. This conference reaffirmed ASEANAPOL’s vision to be the premier regional police organization that fosters cooperation in policing among ASEAN Member States and beyond, ensuring a safe and secure region for all, with the motto “Together We Keep This Region Safe”.

Key Objectives and Focus Areas

The discussions centred on strengthening regional efforts against the most pressing transnational crime threats, including Illicit Drug Trafficking, Terrorism, Arms Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons, Wildlife Crimes, Financial Crime, Cybercrime, Maritime Crime and other emerging security challenges. PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. emphasized that the conference was an opportunity to reinforce the Philippines’ role in regional law enforcement cooperation. He stated: “The conference reinforces the Philippines’ commitment to regional security and collective action. It provides an opportunity to deepen operational cooperation, improve intelligence sharing, and strengthen our partnerships in addressing threats that no country can solve alone”. These focus areas align with ASEANAPOL’s long-standing commission work on issues such as illicit drug trafficking, arms smuggling, commercial crimes, cybercrime, fraudulent travel documents, mutual legal assistance, and exchange of personnel and training programs.

Preparations and Hosting

The hosting of the 44th Conference was part of the Philippines’ broader commitment to regional engagements in 2026. In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and through the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the PNP deployed significant resources to ensure a safe and orderly conduct: 1,559 personnel from various National Support Units, 282 mobility assets, and 3,765 communications and ICT equipment. Preparatory work began early, with a Pre-Conference Coordination Meeting hosted by the PNP on 3–5 June 2026 in Quezon City, chaired by PLTGEN Bernard M. Banac, covering conference management, security arrangements, protocol, logistics, accommodation, and transportation.

Significance for Regional Cooperation

The conference served as a key platform to:

Enhance Operational Networks: ASEANAPOL continues to strengthen cooperation through specialized working groups and capacity development programs to address emerging transnational crime threats.
Strengthen Partnerships with Dialogue Partners: The meeting also provided a platform to strengthen coordination with partners such as INTERPOL and the Korean National Police Agency under initiatives like the KNPA-led KARE Project.
Support Capacity Building: Programs under ASEANAPOL such as the ASEANAPOL Forensic Science Network (APFSN), Personnel Exchange, and Training Development remain central to building interoperability among member states.
Conclusion

The 44th ASEANAPOL Conference in Manila underscored the collective resolve of ASEAN police chiefs to move from dialogue to concrete action. By focusing on intelligence sharing, joint operations, and capacity building under the theme “United in Vision,” the conference aimed to deliver tangible outcomes in securing the people of ASEAN and strengthening collaboration against evolving security threats. ASEANAPOL Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with international partners to strengthen regional security and advance practical cooperation against transnational crime.

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