Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, President of INTERPOL, stated that traditional crime-fighting techniques have become inadequate in the interconnected global landscape.
He advocates for a collaborative international approach to tackling both present and future threats and enhancing the security of communities worldwide.
“This approach involves sharing information, exchanging expertise, investing in innovation, and using the latest technologies to combat all types of crimes significantly,” he said.
Al-Raisi further noted, “Events bringing together the international law enforcement community are crucial to forge strong relationships and encourage cross-border collaboration”. The World Police Summit, hosted by the UAE and attended by renowned law enforcement and policing bodies including INTERPOL, the FBI, NYPD, Australian Federal Police (AFP), and police representatives from around 138 countries, is pivotal in improving cooperation among policing bodies. It addresses key policing topics, shares best practices, and provides valuable opportunities for enhancing global law enforcement efforts and readiness.”
Future Challenges
Discussing the evolving crime landscape, Al-Raisi highlighted the emergence of various new forms of criminal activities driven by advanced technologies and novel mechanisms. “This includes a wide range of transnational criminal operations such as human trafficking, financial crimes, smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal arms trade, robbery, forgery, and money laundering,” he explained.
Al-Raisi confirmed that INTERPOL aims for proactive policing in the digital world to ensure no country falls behind, supported by ongoing investments in technological solutions through the INTERPOL Innovation Centre in Singapore. This includes launching initiatives like INTERPOL Metaverse, the IMD, and INTERPOL Cloud to effectively combat crimes online.
Al-Raisi reiterated that global interconnectedness necessitates abandoning traditional crime-fighting methods in favour of a strategy that leverages information sharing, expertise exchange, and the latest technological innovations. “This approach can lead to significant advancements in addressing all forms of crime,” he reaffirmed.
International Joint Security Efforts
The president of INTERPOL highlighted his continuous efforts to enhance cross-border security cooperation through partnerships and participation in joint international meetings. He emphasised the international nature of organised crime, underscoring the critical role of Interpol in today’s world, where no single country can combat these crimes alone. Thus, “there’s a strong encouragement for member states to actively contribute to and utilise the organisation’s 19 databases and leverage its services to boost their policing capabilities.”
Activating Cross-border Partnerships
Al-Raisi also underscored the importance of international police events in strengthening policing efforts and fostering global law enforcement cooperation to combat crime and enhance security in communities around the world.
He particularly praised the World Police Summit in the UAE, attended by elite law enforcement agencies and serves as a vital platform for strengthening cooperation among police agencies and discussing significant policing issues.
INTERPOL Vision 2030
Speaking on Interpol’s Vision 2030, Al-Raisi expressed the organisation’s commitment to preparing all 196 member countries to proactively face and manage various threats.
“INTERPOL’s Vision 2030 aims to support the organisation’s strategic direction over the next decade, focusing on dealing with crimes effectively in the fast-evolving digital age through enhanced cooperation, capacity building, and modern technologies,” “The goal is to evolve INTERPOL into a proactive, globally recognised police force that not only responds to crimes but also adopts the best practices in crime fighting, law enforcement, and staying ahead of global trends, making INTERPOL the foremost, most advanced, diverse, and transparent policing organisation in the world,” he said.
Uniting Global Forces for A Safer Tomorrow
Al-Raisi concluded, “The theme for the World Police Summit, ‘Uniting Global Forces for a Safer Tomorrow,’ resonates with INTERPOL’s objectives and ambitions,” “We, therefore, are hopeful that the Summit will significantly improve the efficiency and capabilities of global police work, ensuring a safer and more stable world for all.”
