Cambodia and ASEAN Members Back Joint Action Plan to Pursue Fugitives

Cambodia and its ASEAN counterparts have reached an agreement in principle on a joint action plan designed to deepen regional cooperation in tracking down fugitives from justice.

The consensus emerged from the ASEAN High-Level Law Enforcement Conference on Cooperation in Combating Fugitives, held in Hanoi and hosted by Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security. Delegations from all 11 ASEAN member states took part, along with representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat. The participants endorsed a joint statement at the conclusion of the event.

Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Sokha attended the conference as part of a visit to Vietnam from September 29 to October 1.

Focus on Shared Strategies

Delegates discussed national approaches and practical experience in combating crime and apprehending fugitives, as well as broader law enforcement challenges that demand tighter regional coordination.

An interior ministry statement said the conference provided a forum for member states to share views on their respective strategies and to explore ways of responding to shared challenges more swiftly and effectively.

The joint action plan and accompanying statement are meant to lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in the pursuit of fugitives, with the broader goal of building a crime-free ASEAN region defined by security, safety, and resilience.

High-Level Engagement

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang opened the conference, while ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn addressed delegates via video message.

Sokha and other delegation leaders also made a courtesy visit to Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung during the trip. Hung expressed gratitude for their attendance and praised ongoing ASEAN cooperation in preventing transnational crime and dealing with fugitives.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation heads, Sokha thanked the prime minister and Vietnam's public security ministry for hosting the event.

Bilateral Meetings

On the sidelines, Brunei's minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Timor-Leste's interior minister both met with Sokha and expressed appreciation for the hospitality Cambodia extended to their delegations during a previous visit. The two officials also congratulated Cambodia on the results of a recent international conference on technology-related fraud, including the adoption of the Phnom Penh Declaration.