Hammouchi emphasizes INTERPOL’s pivotal role in facilitating international security cooperation

MARRAKECH - Morocco’s police chief Abdellatif Hammouchi announced today the opening of the 93rd General Assembly of INTERPOL held in the ochre city of Marrakech.

Hammouchi emphasized Morocco’s keenness to host the 93rd INTERPOL General Assembly which derives from its firm commitment to enhancing multilateral security cooperation and its serious engagement in strengthening the international coalition front to face the threats of transnational organized crime.

“Today, we renew the pledge and meeting from this city deeply rooted in history to look forward to a safer world and envision a future of greater stability and prosperity, a future we committed to establishing nearly two decades ago here in the red city of Marrakech,” said Hammouchi in the opening speech of the assembly which will be held November 24-27.

The head of both Morocco’s General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) and the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) said that the Kingdom’s keenness to host the 93rd INTERPOL General Assembly derives from its firm commitment to enhancing multilateral security cooperation and its serious engagement in strengthening the international coalition front to face the threats of transnational organized crime.

“This steadfast stance is based on the supreme instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God support and aid him, who considers security a collective blessing and shared responsibility,” he said.

Hammouchi stressed that security can only be preserved and maintained through strengthening institutional cooperation and community partnerships on one hand and enhancing international cooperation and agreements on the other.

“From this perspective, Morocco’s national security services have adopted an integrated security strategy where security and respect for human rights are inseparable, and police work goes hand in hand with security communication, making the police’s role to serve the nation and citizens and ensure safety and security,” he said.

Hammouchi pointed out that it has become necessary to create a common body that cannot be infiltrated, involving national security agencies and police cooperation with you, coordinated and closely linked with INTERPOL and related regional organizations as security challenges transcend national borders due to the expansion of virtual criminal structures, interconnected entities, criminal networks, and the rise of terrorist groups.

“If organized crime and extremist groups recognize no borders and are not confined to specific geographic areas, tackling them requires organic links, regional and international extensions capable of successfully confronting the geographical expansion of crime and terrorism,” said the police chief.

“This collective security cannot be achieved without strong security partnerships, equitable cooperation among countries, and fast, secure mechanisms for information exchange and joint operations across multiple countries and continents,” he stressed.

Hammouchi emphasized INTERPOL’s pivotal role in facilitating international security cooperation and strengthening multilateral police cooperation mechanisms and relationships among law enforcement agencies in member countries in the face of rising security threats and risks and newly emerging criminal patterns that are fueled by the misuse of modern and advanced technologies that are posing challenges to INTERPOL and national security institutions.

“If we all aspire for a future where the world is safe and security is the basis for development and the cornerstone of prosperity and stability, then the road to achieving this desired meeting must pass through the work of our General Assembly, convening today in Marrakech,”

“This gathering provides reassurance and enhances our shared ambition for a safer future by addressing current security threats and anticipating emerging non-traditional risks,” he added.

Hammmouchi said that the assembly works on deploying new global police capabilities for INTERPOL, enhancing its regional presence and operational impact, promoting states’ ratification of the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, all highly relevant topics that push for more international cooperation in combating cybercrime, which today represents a hybrid threat aimed at undermining states and destabilizing their security and stability.

He also mentioned the allocation of a significant platform to discuss women’s roles in policing which aims to draw leadership lessons to effect positive change in the police system.

“This is a distinguished initiative reinforcing gender perspectives in security work, especially given the great successes marked by women police officers in practice and research, even in the most complex and dangerous situations,” he said.

Hammouchi called on everyone to participate in achieving, preserving, and sustaining it, consolidating and reinforcing it.

“Without a doubt, the INTERPOL General Assembly represents the most comprehensive platform and best place to discuss collective security issues, develop the best approaches to protect, preserve, and reinforce it,” he concluded.