The 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC 14) under the theme “Cohesive and responsive ASEAN in preventing and fighting transnational crimes,"  was opened on November 26 in virtual format. 

Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
on Transnational Crime (AMMTC 14), Ha Noi , November 26, 2020
- Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu 

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that since early 2020, ASEAN member states have been threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic and serious impacts of natural disasters, storms, and droughts. However, the identity, solidarity, and self-reliance of the ASEAN community have been maintained and upheld.

As the Chair of ASEAN for 2020, Viet Nam has worked with other members to pursue the ‘dual goals’ of spurring growth and controlling the pandemic.

At the 37th ASEAN Summit, leaders of ASEAN member states discussed and approved numerous measures and orientations to make the ASEAN community stronger and truly become a nucleus of the region, support people and businesses to overcome disease consequences, maintain social order, and boost economic recovery.

The ASEAN political-security community represents an important pillar for the building of a cohesive and strong ASEAN Community and uppholding ASEAN centrality in regional security matters. The ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint 2025 has been implemented in the first five years in which 96% of the action lines have been acted upon.  

The Government chief said this year's meeting reflects the strong commitment and determination of ASEAN ministers in dealing with transnational crime, contributing to the maintainance of peace, security and stability in the region.

He suggested full and effective implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the Ha Noi Declaration on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision, with special attention to building a strong ASEAN political-security community.

ASEAN countries should step up trust building and information sharing among law enforcement agencies, said PM Phuc.

He also asked ASEAN to reinforce cooperation and exchange of information and expertise in combating transnational crime in order to ensure security and safety for ASEAN citizens and prevent social uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phuc affirmed that Viet Nam's commitment to spare no effort to collaborate with other ASEAN member states in building an ASEAN Community of peace, stability and development.

During the AMMTC 14, the participants are expected to review global and regional situation, discuss solutions to promote the realization of targets set in the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime for the 2016-2025, and scrutinize documents on initiatives and ideas within the AMMTC framework.

The AMMTC is considered as the central and comprehensive regional security cooperation mechanism in prevention and fight against transnational crime in the region.