Kuantan: Tackling drug threats, cybercrimes, and human trafficking are the primary focus at the 8th Meeting of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD) 2025, which commenced on June 10 in Kuantan, Malaysia.

According to Lao News Agency, AIPA President and Speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives Tan Sri Johari Abdul highlighted in his opening remarks that a report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on May 28 indicated emerging threats from synthetic drugs targeting ASEAN youth. These drugs are increasingly being disguised in products such as e-cigarettes. Therefore, the AIPACODD agenda must evolve to effectively combat cross-border crimes and the connections between drug crimes, human trafficking, wildlife trafficking, money laundering, and cybercrime.

During a press conference at the meeting, Johari emphasized that ASEAN delegates would share their experiences in managing these transnational crimes. The AIPACODD aims to achieve two main objectives: fostering consensus among ASEAN countries on common policies and generating innovative ideas, particularly in preventing cybercrimes and human trafficking.

The meeting’s outcomes will be forwarded to the ASEAN Secretariat for prompt implementation. The AIPACODD meeting, spanning two days, is anticipated to adopt an official resolution on June 11. At the closing ceremony, a representative from the Philippines, which will host the next meeting, will deliver a speech.