Led by President Ahmed Naser Al Raisi, the members of INTERPOL’s Executive Committee undertook a tour of the Organization’s six Regional Bureaus (RBs) in Africa and the Americas. Accompanied by the Vice President for Africa, Garba Baba Umar, and the two EC delegates for Africa, Anne-Marie Nainda and Alaa Ragab, the President visited the RBs in Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe from 10th to 18th February. Subsequently, the President and Vice President for the Americas, Valdecy Urquiza, visited the RBs in Argentina and El Salvador from 14th to 20th March to observe their daily law enforcement support activities. The visit to the RB in Argentina also included a meeting with Argentina’s Police Chief and EC delegate for the Americas, Juan Carlos Hernandez, at the RB’s Command and Coordination Centre located in Buenos Aires. This comprehensive tour marks one of the first instances of the Executive Committee’s visit to all six RBs, aimed at evaluating their support to member countries and driving strategic and sustainable changes. During the tour, the President and EC members engaged in high-level discussions with state leaders, security ministers, general prosecutors, police chiefs, and heads of INTERPOL National Central Bureaus (NCBs) to address critical policing issues in the regions. They also conducted virtual meetings with NCBs in the respective regions to understand their challenges and explore ways to provide additional assistance. Enhancing access to INTERPOL’s I-24/7 network at key border points emerged as a significant topic of discussion, with countries expressing interest in utilizing mobile technology for instant checks on INTERPOL’s criminal databases. The importance of Regional Bureaus and the need to equip police in Africa and the Americas with the necessary skillsets and tools for global security support will be a focus of discussion in the upcoming Executive Committee meeting. Furthermore, the Committee expressed strong support for prioritizing geographical and gender diversity within the organization’s workforce, particularly in underrepresented countries, in alignment with the 2022 INTERPOL General Assembly resolution. As the governing body overseeing the execution of the General Assembly’s decisions and the administration of the General Secretariat’s work, the Executive Committee comprises highly experienced individuals from the top level of policing in their respective countries. The six RBs are integral components of the General Secretariat structure, providing crucial policing support services to member countries within their designated regions.
