ASEAN need to strengthen cooperative efforts in addressing new and emerging trends in transnational crime, especially in the post COVID 19 era. In this regard it is important The 21st ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting on Transnational Crime SOMTC to incorporate the lessons learnt from the pandemic into their future plans.

The matter was among those stressed by Dato Paduka Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu, Acting Permanent Secretary (Security, Enforcement and Law), Prime Minister's Office at the 21st SOMTC plenary session and related meetings that was held virtually earlier yesterday.

The meetings will focus on ten areas of cooperation in combating transnational crime, including terrorism, trafficking in persons, cybercrime, illicit drug trafficking, money laundering, arms smuggling, sea piracy, international economic crime, people smuggling and illicit wildlife and timber trafficking as well as new measures that could be taken to better protect the people of ASEAN from the threat of transnational crime.

Leading Brunei Darussalam's delegation to the 21st SOMTC and its related meeting was Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohd Taib, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Security, Enforcement and Law) at the Prime Minister's Office. The meetings were held virtually for three days until the 29th of July 2021 at the International Convention Centre Berakas. The meeting will also be attended virtually by ten ASEAN dialogue partners, namely Australia, the People's Republic of China, the European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Russian Federation, the United States and plus three. Also present was Dato Paduka Awang Zalani bin Haji Ismail, Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau.

Source: Radio Television Brunei