INTERPOL General Assembly opens in Turkey with new member country bringing total to 195

ISTANBUL, Turkey – The 89th INTERPOL General Assembly has opened in Turkey, with delegates voting to admit the Federated States of Micronesia as the Organization’s 195th member country.

The in-person three-day (23 – 25 November) meeting brings together nearly 470 police chiefs, ministers and senior law enforcement officials from some 160 countries to identify areas where INTERPOL can reinforce the global security architecture.

The General Assembly in Istanbul brings together nearly 470 police chiefs, ministers and senior law enforcement officials to identify areas where INTERPOL can reinforce the global security architecture.

INTERPOL President Kim Jong Yang said law enforcement must continue to bridge the growing gaps caused by rapid technological changes.

Secretary General Jürgen Stock has been responsible for the day-to-day running of the INTERPOL General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France since his first election in 2014.

In a video address to the meeting, President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the meeting would contribute greatly to international safety and security.

Turkey’s Minister of the Interior Süleyman Soylu at the opening of INTERPOL’s 89th General Assembly.

Director General of Turkish National Police Mehmet Aktas

The General Assembly will also see elections for new members of the Executive Committee, including the post of President.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization said the WHO was committed to working with law enforcement and other partners outside the health sector.

The Federated States of Micronesia was admitted as the Organization’s 195th member country.

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With COVID-19 resulting in a parallel crime pandemic, particularly in relation to cybercrime and online child sexual exploitation, delegates will discuss proposals to advance the Organization’s technical and operational support to member countries in these areas.

In a video address to the meeting, President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said: “It is an honour to host the INTERPOL General Assembly in this city where civilizations meet.

“I believe this meeting is going to contribute greatly to the safety and security of all our countries.”

INTERPOL President Kim Jong Yang said law enforcement must continue to bridge the growing gaps caused by rapid technological changes.

“As an organization, INTERPOL must ensure that its systems can keep pace with the speed of change.

“This is essential to address the evolution of autonomous systems, and the opportunities for criminal exploitation of the almost complete merging of the physical and digital worlds,” said President Kim.

Welcoming delegates, Mehmet Aktaş, Director General of Turkish National Police said: “In order to safeguard our future, we have to enhance our cooperation, especially in the fight against cybercrime and terrorism.

“Our close cooperation with INTERPOL, which aims to connect police for a safer world, makes a significant contribution to the prevention and elimination of crime at the international level.”

The General Assembly, which was officially opened by the Turkish Minister of the Interior, Süleyman Soylu, will also see elections for new members of the Executive Committee, including the post of President.

Meeting three times a year, the Executive Committee is the governing body in charge of supervising the implementation of the General Assembly’s decisions and the administration and work of the General Secretariat.

The Secretary General is responsible for the day-to-day running of the INTERPOL General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France.  The current Secretary General is Jürgen Stock, who was first elected in 2014 and whose second mandate will end in 2024.