Class act: Delegates of the Interpol Global Communication I-24/7 training course and workshop pose outside the Police Officers' Club.

Interpol is holding a training course in Hong Kong for members to learn to use its new Global Communication System, I-24/7.

The Interpol General Secretariat launched the system last year to provide member states immediate and user-friendly access to all vital police information.

From January 13 to 15, the secretariat will jointly run the course and workshop on the system for National Central Bureaux officers in Asia.

The I-24/7 System is a secure global network that operates using Internet protocols and state-of-the-art security technology.

Hong Kong is the first place in Asia switching to the new system, and 85 NCB or Interpol Offices have been connected to it.

System efficient, secure, cost-effective

Opening the course today, HK Police Director of Crime & Security Chau Foo-cheong said: "The I-24/7 System presents a catalytic technology change for Interpol member states, providing National Central Bureaux a more efficient, secure, and cost-effective means of communication."

This is the first I-24/7 training course for Asian countries. About 30 delegates from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, the Mainland and Macau are participating.

Similar training courses have been held in South America, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.