Today’s most pressing cross-border security challenges faced by police worldwide will top the agenda at the 84th INTERPOL General Assembly which has opened in Rwanda.

      Combating the threat of foreign terrorist fighters, the organized crime networks behind people smuggling and drug trafficking and cybercrime are among key issues at the meeting attended by some 640 police chiefs and senior law enforcement officials from 145 countries.

        During the four-day (2 – 5 November) conference delegates will also be updated on INTERPOL’s integrated border security policing capabilities to combat terrorism and transnational crime, in particular through the I-Checkit initiative.

      Opening the General Assembly, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said that security is the foundation of everything, adding that while globalization presents many opportunities for progress and development, a more connected world also brings an increased risk of crimes.

       “Because of the very nature of these crimes, no country can deal with these challenges alone. We must work closely together and this is where INTERPOL excels,” said President Kagame who also thanked INTERPOL for its efforts in tracking down fugitives wanted for genocide in Rwanda.

      “INTERPOL’s capacity for information sharing and concerted action helps eliminate the gaps where international crime flourishes. Moreover, by cultivating the shared values and norms of law enforcement, INTERPOL makes the world a better place.

       “INTERPOL is a good model for effective international cooperation generally, and rest assured that Rwanda will remain a reliable and committed partner in the pursuit of global security and justice,” concluded President Kagame.

       INTERPOL President Mireille Ballestrazzi said the theme of this year’s General Assembly ‘INTERPOL 2020: Policing global threats in a dynamic environment’ was both in keeping with the Organization’s mission for a safer world and also responded to the international community’s expectations.

      “Having to confront rapid and increasingly complex changes, and providing the appropriate responses, are an integral part of the development of any country and, of course, of any organization, which is what we will be addressing in the coming days,” said President Ballestrazzi.

     “In our globalized environment, a threat for one of us constitutes a threat for all of us and international cooperation is essential for each and every country to guarantee its security,” added President Ballestrazzi.

       Rwanda’s Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, said his country was an active and engaged member of INTERPOL: “For the past few years, we have worked together on key police events ranging from capacity building, to regional initiatives, international conferences and crime prevention campaigns

     “INTERPOL has also supported Rwanda’s national police force, providing our borders with access to critical databases and policing tools. As a result, we are better able to detect and stop criminals.

       “We therefore look forward to continued collaboration in building policing capacity, sharing information and finding new ways to confront security challenges together,” added Inspector General Gasana.

     One year on since taking office, INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said it was clear that the Organization’s 190 member countries had high expectations of INTERPOL to lead global policing efforts against the backdrop of a constantly changing security landscape.

      “Just as the world’s successful nations continually adapt to changing global complexities, international police cooperation must cultivate innovation into its strategic development to counter threats posed by transnational crime,” said Secretary General Stock, pointing to the INTERPOL 2020 initiative launched earlier this year.

      INTERPOL 2020 is a review of the Organization’s environment, strategy, priorities and activities in order to develop a clear roadmap for the continued development of a strong, effective and transparent INTERPOL.

       “There is a clear role for INTERPOL to expand and see how it can engage with other communities, including the private sector , to benefit from their knowledge and experience in dealing with changing realities and adapting their models to stay relevant,” concluded the INTERPOL Chief.

      With the criminal threat to the environment affecting not only natural resources but also national economies and communities, identifying potential areas for development in environmental security, including the increased use of forensic tools to identify criminal networks, is also on the agenda at the General Assembly.

       Delegates will also consider the creation of a new INTERPOL notice targeting criminal assets to support global efforts against corruption and financial crime.