Senior police officials from around the world gathered in Lyon this week for INTERPOL’s annual Heads of National Central Bureaus Conference.
As the primary point of contact between INTERPOL and national law enforcement agencies in its 196 member countries, NCBs are uniquely positioned to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices in the fight against transnational crime.
Bringing together some 310 delegates from 150 countries, the three-day (11 – 13 February) meeting discussed strategies for using INTERPOL’s capabilities and network to tackle current and emerging security risks.
Through panel-based discussions and regional roundtable sessions, attendees will address various crime threats, including gang violence, extremism, radicalisation and cybercrime, and the use of technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence to enhance law enforcement capabilities.
INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi said, “In today’s world, the importance of cross-border collaboration and data sharing cannot be overstated. National Central Bureaus are the critical link connecting police agencies across INTERPOL’s member countries to the General Secretariat and the wider global security community. The challenges we face are not easy, but together, we are stronger.”
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said, “INTERPOL’s mission must always stay aligned with its member countries’ needs—needs that are constantly changing as the landscape of international crime evolves.
“The Heads of National Central Bureaus’ conference is an opportunity for us to understand the wide-ranging priorities and challenges of our membership and, more importantly, how we can help. There will be no strong INTERPOL without strong NCBs.”
Now in its 20th edition, the Heads of NCB conference is a leading platform for international police cooperation. The event provides senior policing officials with a valuable opportunity to directly engage with their counterparts from around the world, fostering collaboration and exchanging knowledge to drive progress in the global effort to combat transnational crime.
