Joint prowess: Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble, Acting Chief Executive Henry Tang, and Vice-Minister of Public Security Meng Hongwei open Interpol's Asian Regional Conference.

About 120 delegates from 32 countries have attended Interpol's Asian Regional Conference in Hong Kong to discuss methods of enhancing co-operation to combat transnational crime including terrorism and child sex tourism.

The three-day conference will focus on the need for law-enforcement officers to make better use of technology, in particular expanding access to Interpol's global databases beyond the National Central Bureaus to all law-enforcement officers working throughout Interpol member countries.

Co-operation important

Opening the conference today, Vice-Minister of Public Security Meng Hongwei said co-operation is essential and imperative because countries in the same region often share issues of common interest when dealing with transnational crime.

Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble said while the rate of information exchange has greatly increased, member countries need to remain steadfast in their commitment to continued cooperation both at the regional and global level.

"The reality of policing in the 21st century is that any major investigation should include the consultation of regional and global databases. The days of thinking that we can thoroughly investigate serious crime using national resources alone are behind us," Mr Noble said.

Database connection

"The imminent linking of Aseanapol's database to Interpol's secure global communication system, I-24/7, connecting 186 member countries will significantly assist police forces in Asia to identify crucial leads in their major international investigations that they otherwise might miss."

Looking ahead to the Beijing Olympic Games, Acting Chief Executive Henry Tang said it was an exciting time for the country and the people of Hong Kong.

"It is also an enormous challenge for our law-enforcement agencies as we shoulder the duty of looking after the safety of athletes, VIPs, spectators and visitors from around the world. Undoubtedly we will co-operate with our law-enforcement colleagues throughout the region to make sure everything goes smoothly," Mr Tang said.