Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, delivered pre-recorded remarks today at the Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Fostering Solidarity for Arms Regulation and Security Cooperation.
During his address, Dr. Kao emphasized ASEAN’s ongoing commitment to enhancing regional collaboration in tackling illicit arms flows and combatting arms smuggling. These efforts are part of ASEAN’s eight transnational crime priorities under the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC).
He highlighted key milestones in the region’s fight against arms-related crimes, including the ASEAN Declaration on Combating Arms Smuggling (2023) and the renewal of the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime for 2026–2035. According to Dr. Kao, these initiatives will guide practical cooperation among member states and shape the strategic direction of ASEAN’s efforts to prevent arms smuggling in the coming decade.