The 32nd conference of ASEAN Police Chiefs (ASEANAPOL) held in Nay PyiTaw, Myanmar , ended on May 24 with a joint statement beingreleased.

According to the press release, thethree-day event was chaired by Myanmar ’s Chief of PoliceMajor-General Kyaw Kyaw Tun, who took over the chair from his Laotiancounterpart Cesar Bat Malabon.

This year'sconference was attended by delegates from all ten ASEAN member countriesas well as representatives from five partner countries, includingChina , Japan , the Republic of Korea , New Zealand andAustralia .

The conference discussed joint workingto combat trans-national crimes, including terrorism, arms smuggling,human trafficking, maritime fraud, economic and banking offenses andcyber crime.

The participants debated the progressmade on an ASEANAPOL database and more cooperation in criminal matters.They also discussed how to put in place various operational measures andagreed on proposals to increase cooperation to combat crime.

The first ASEANAPOL conference took place in Manila in thePhilippines in 1981 with only the five original member countries takingpart including Indonesia , Malaysia , the Philippines , Singaporeand Thailand.-VNA