19th AMMTC Endorses Transnational Crime Action Plan 2026-2035, Strengthening Regional Cooperation

MELAKA, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- The 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) today endorsed the ASEAN Plan of Action on Combating Transnational Crime (2026-2035), as a framework to address transnational crime challenges over the next decade.

According to a statement issued by the Home Ministry, the endorsement reflects ASEAN’s collective commitment to keeping pace with an increasingly complex threat landscape, and further strengthening regional cooperation.

In addition, the meeting adopted the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Working Group on Money Laundering, as a new platform to strengthen regional efforts in tackling financial crime.

“No less significant, the ASEAN Border Management Cooperation Roadmap was also approved, to streamline cross-sectoral cooperation on immigration and border control matters.

“Several key declarations were also announced, including the Melaka Declaration on Combating Transnational Crime and the ASEAN declarations on combating human smuggling, as well as cybercrime and online fraud,” it said today.

Additionally, the 19th AMMTC endorsed three ASEAN Leaders’ Declarations, which highlighted efforts to combat money laundering, enhance cooperation in the arrest of fugitive criminals, and promote the use of sports as a tool to build community resilience against violent extremism.

“The meeting also agreed to extend the ASEAN Plan of Action to Prevent and Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism (2018-2025), and the Bali Work Plan (2019-2025), until 2026,” it added.

“These two documents provide an important framework for regional efforts to curb radicalisation, and coordinate cross-sectoral and cross-border actions to address the threat of violent extremism in the ASEAN region.

The meeting also heard contributions from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and META, who shared their insights on challenges and opportunities for cooperation in combating cross-border crime, including legal matters, regional collaboration, and digital technology issues.

“With this achievement, the AMMTC not only evaluates the accomplishments of the past decade, but also ushers in a new and more comprehensive chapter, demonstrating the region’s determination to remain at the forefront of combating increasingly complex transnational crime,” it said.

Melaka has become the regional focal point, as ASEAN ministers and senior officials responsible for security and cross-border crime prevention gather from Sept 8 to 12 to attend the 19th AMMTC and Related Meetings.

The event is being held as part of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, themed ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability', reflecting the country’s commitment to fostering a safer and more prosperous ASEAN community.

-- BERNAMA