BANGKOK, 2 May 2017 (NNT) – Representatives from ASEAN and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have met to discuss stronger cooperation to manage border areas and prevent border issues.

Advisor to the Justice Minister Somchai Seanglai and Mr Aldo Lale-Demoz, Deputy Executive Director of the UNODC, co-chaired the high-level meeting aimed to forge closer cooperation in border management and tighten connectivity, security and safety within the ASEAN region.

The attendants together considered directions for tackling transnational crimes, border problems and drug trafficking, all of which have been receiving priority from Thailand and ASEAN. The meeting acknowledged the need for these issues to be addressed in a more systematic manner, for public awareness to be increased and for border control to be intensified with harsher penalties for law violations.

The meeting is expected to enhance the regional mechanism for border management, effectively allowing existing problems to be solved and paving the way for regional security. Suggestions from the gathering will also be compiled for consideration at the 17th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime, to be held in Laos later this year.