The MJIB hosted an international forum discussing ways to maintain regional security and combat transnational crime in post-pandemic era

    In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) hosted 2021 Taiwan Western Asia Forum on Regional Security and Transnational Crime (TWAF) at Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza, Taipei, Taiwan on November 24, 2021. In order to keep the momentum of international relations going and enhance international cooperation in the post-pandemic era, the 2021 TWAF was held by online discussions with law enforcement officials and scholars from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Turkey, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, the U.S.A, Japan, and Australia. The opening ceremony was attended by ambassadors and representatives stationed in Taiwan, officials from MOFA, Ministry of Justice (MOJ), and National Security Bureau (NSB).

    The 2021 TWAF included 2 keynote speeches and 3 discussion sessions. The keynote speeches were separately presented by Mr. Jiun-tai Huang, Director General of the Office of Homeland Security, Executive Yuan, and Dr. Louise Isobel Shelley, the founder and executive director of the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TrACCC), George Mason University, U.S.A. The three sessions were respectively hosted by Dr. Fu-Kuo Liu, the director of Taiwan Center for Security Studies, Ms. Yea-li Sun, the Commissioner of National Communications Commission in Taiwan, and Mr. Cheng, Yaser Tai Hsiang, Minister on Home Assignment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan. The presenters were from counterparts of MJIB including Japan Coast Guard, National Bureau of Investigation from the Philippines, Office of the Narcotics Control Board from Thailand, Australian Federal Police, Karak Court from Jordan, National Anti-Financial Crime Center from Malaysia, Public Prosecution from Bahrain as well as MJIB Cyber Security Investigation Office.

    In Director General Wang’s opening remarks, he reiterated transnational crime has always been a big threat to global and regional security. There are a variety of crimes including drug smuggling, human trafficking, telecom fraud, and cybercrime here and now. In order to prevent and combat criminal activities, the Bureau has been advancing investigation tactics and utilizing technology to tackle all these issues. For reaching a consensus in future cooperation, the Forum brings together scholars and law enforcement officials all over the world to share their experiences and opinions.

    The minister of MOJ pointed out that the Ministry has achieved some breakthroughs in promoting judicial diplomacy, building substantial judicial collaboration with European countries. More and more countries have shown their kindness and support towards Taiwan. For instance, Taiwan signed an agreement on judicial cooperation in criminal matters with Poland in June 2019, the first of such with a member of the European Union. It contributed the first Polish inmate transfer case under strict border controls during the pandemic. This success not only set a milestone in Taiwan’s judicial history, but also led to the next breakthrough as we signed a judicial cooperation agreement in criminal matters with Slovakia this year. We believe our continuing efforts will inspire more friends to collaborate with us.

    In 2013, MJIB established the Taiwan Western Asia Forum with the hope of gathering law enforcement agencies in Western Asia and Southeast Asia together. And now, the connections are thriving all over the world. A lot of countries are appreciating the efforts MJIB has made. The Bureau has been able to create strong ties and facilitate international cooperation through the Forum. This year, the Forum enters its fifth year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Forum was held online. There were more than 400 law enforcement officials and academics from 41 countries participating. The Bureau hopes that TWAF can act as a platform for international law enforcement agencies to reach a consensus in future cooperation of cross-border crimes control and regional security maintaining.