Phnom Penh, April 1, 2024 – In a collaborative effort to bolster the fight against transnational crimes, Cambodia, alongside the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), hosted a national dialogue focusing on border management strategies. The event took place in Siem Reap province on March 28, led by Lt. Gen. Nak Yuthea, Deputy Secretary General of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD).

The dialogue gathered key officials from the NACD Secretariat, the UNODC border management programme, the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia, the General Department of Immigration, and the chiefs and deputy chiefs of the Border Liaison Office (BLO). This diverse assembly of participants underscores the comprehensive approach being taken to address transnational crimes, including drug trafficking.

Lt. Gen. Nak Yuthea outlined the forum's objectives, which include strengthening the BLO mechanism to improve control over drugs and other forms of transnational crime. Additionally, the dialogue sought to assess the challenges faced by BLO operations, evaluate the results of national and international cooperation efforts, and explore the dynamics of ASEAN cooperative border management.

The Deputy Secretary General urged the BLO to continue enhancing its operational effectiveness and called for ongoing support from UNODC. This national dialogue signifies a crucial step forward in regional and international efforts to combat transnational crimes, reflecting Cambodia's proactive stance in securing its borders and fostering cooperation among neighboring countries and global partners.