Delegates from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam attend a tripartite ministerial meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.    --Photo Lao Public Security News

Three nations step up fight against cross-border crime

Ministers from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam agreed to strengthen cooperation against cross-border crime, including human trafficking, drug trafficking and cybercrime, at a ministerial meeting held in Phnom Penh on June 30.
The agreement was made during the second ministerial meeting between Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior, the Lao Ministry of Public Security, and Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security.
The meeting was co-chaired by Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr Sar Sokha, Laos’ Minister of Public Security, Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmany, and Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security, General Luong Tam Quang, according to the Lao Public Security News.
The ministers reviewed regional and global security developments and agreed to deepen cooperation to address growing transnational security threats that no country can tackle alone.
A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to increase intelligence sharing on security issues and strengthen joint action against organised criminal networks operating across borders.
The ministers also agreed to step up efforts to prevent and suppress human trafficking, drug trafficking, and cybercrime, which continue to threaten communities and economic development across the region.
In addition, they agreed to strengthen security cooperation along their shared borders by increasing coordination and carrying out joint border patrols. The patrols are intended to identify emerging security issues quickly and resolve them through close cooperation among border authorities.
Another important area of cooperation is peacekeeping. The three ministers agreed to build closer cooperation in this field to help strengthen national security and respond more effectively to new security challenges.
The meeting was also attended by officials from bordering provinces in the three countries, providing an opportunity to share experiences and strengthen cooperation at the provincial level.
Closer coordination between border provinces is expected to improve efforts to combat cross-border crime and maintain peace and stability in border communities.
Speaking at the meeting, Laos’ Minister of Public Security, Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmany, thanked Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior for hosting the meeting and praised the thorough preparations made by the organisers.
He said the meeting demonstrated the strong unity and commitment of the three ministries to turn the joint declaration made by their governments into practical cooperation. It also provided a platform for security agencies and border provinces to work more closely together in tackling all forms of crime for the shared benefit of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
At the close of the meeting, the ministers signed a joint declaration outlining priority areas for future cooperation to maintain public security and social order, support stability and socio-economic development, and respond effectively to emerging regional and international security challenges during a period of economic recovery.
While in Cambodia, Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmany paid a courtesy visit to the country’s Prime Minister, Samdech Moha Bovor Thipadei Hun Manet.
Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed the outcome of the meeting and praised the long-standing friendship and close cooperation between Cambodia and Laos.
He reaffirmed Cambodia’s support for deeper public security cooperation between the two countries and among Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to ensure a peaceful, secure and prosperous border region.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 3, 2026)