The United Kingdom has participated for the first time in the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) open consultation, marking a significant milestone in its growing partnership with Southeast Asia on regional security and law enforcement cooperation. The UK was represented by the Home Office Director of International Strategy, Engagement and Devolution.
During this event, the UK and Vietnam presented a joint proposal for future regional activity on the critical areas of trafficking in persons and scam centres, which was warmly welcomed by the group. These issues cause immense harm across the world and continue to devastate lives and undermine security.
This engagement builds on the UK’s existing collaboration with ASEAN, including through the UK’s National Crime Agency’s formal partnership with ASEANAPOL and the UK’s active role in supporting the establishment of an ASEAN Money Laundering Working Group, in collaboration with Malaysia and UNODC.
SOMTC Viet Nam said:
As Country Coordinator for ASEAN-UK Dialogue Relations for the 2024–2027 period, Viet Nam is pleased to support the strengthening of this important partnership, grounded in mutual trust and a shared commitment to regional peace and stability. The ASEAN-UK Open Consultation at SOMTC represents a timely and meaningful step forward in our collective efforts to address transnational crime, particularly in areas of growing concern such as trafficking in persons and scam centres.
The joint proposal led by SOMTC – Viet Nam and the United Kingdom reflects our common resolve to foster practical, forward-looking cooperation. We welcome the UK’s continued engagement with ASEAN and remain committed to working closely with all partners to promote a rules-based regional order, reinforce law enforcement collaboration, and protect the safety and well-being of our communities.
Malaysia, as 2025 ASEAN Chair said:
Malaysia together with ASEAN welcomes the United Kingdom’s inaugural participation in the SOMTC Open Consultation, which reflects ASEAN’s shared commitment in tackling the evolving threats of transnational crime.
Malaysia looks forward in deepening collaboration with the UK and ASEAN partners, particularly in strengthening financial integrity, addressing online scams, and dismantling criminal networks that exploit regional vulnerabilities.
The UK’s participation in SOMTC reflects its broader commitment as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner to support ASEAN centrality, regional stability, uphold international norms, and promote a safe and secure Indo-Pacific. Through continued collaboration, the UK and ASEAN aim to build more resilient institutions, strengthen law enforcement cooperation, and protect the rights and safety of people across the region.
UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, said:
Transnational crime knows no borders, and neither should our cooperation. The UK is proud to stand alongside ASEAN in tackling the serious threats posed by trafficking, fraud and illicit finance (including money laundering). These crimes not only harm individuals and communities—they also erode trust, fuel corruption, weaken governance and threaten the rule of law. Our shared commitment to addressing these challenges is stronger than ever.
The UK is pleased to work jointly with ASEAN to tackle fraud and the flow of dirty money that fuels organised crime, corruption, and instability across the region.
The UK has committed to supporting the UNODC-INTERPOL Global Fraud Summit, taking place in March 2026, and will be hosting an Illicit Finance Summit, both of which will convene a diverse coalition of countries to accelerate the implementation of global standards and enhance long-term cooperation between governments, law enforcement and the private sector.
