ISTANBUL, Turkey – Delegates at the INTERPOL General Assembly have overwhelmingly endorsed amendments to the procedures relating to the nomination and election of Executive Committee candidates.
The changes are the first in a series of planned reforms to modernize and enhance the Organization’s governing bodies and ensure greater transparency.
The new process for Executive Committee elections includes the requirement for candidacies to be submitted at least 45 days before the General Assembly, additional conditions for applications and an updated Election board mandate.
In line with the ethical standards previously established for General Secretariat staff and the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files, the Executive Committee will also now adopt a code of conduct, no later than the 90th General Assembly.
INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said the changes were an important first step towards greater transparency in relation to the Organization’s governance.
“It is imperative that we promote trust in the Organization and maintain its reputation both amongst our member countries and public opinion.
“The changes which were overwhelmingly supported by the General Assembly will enable the Executive Committee to set clear rules regarding ethics, accountability and integrity by its members, increasing both awareness and confidence in its activities,” said Secretary General Stock.
Created by the General Assembly in 2018, the Governance working group includes representatives from 40 member countries, from across all INTERPOL regions, and is chaired by former INTERPOL President Khoo Boon Hui.
“This package of reforms is a deliberative piece of work. They will bring more transparency, clarity, stability, continuity and integrity in the functioning of INTERPOL’s Executive Committee,” said Mr Khoo.
In its programme of activities for 2022 and 2023, the Governance working group will identify ways of improving the efficiency of the decision-making process, as well as how to increase transparency while respecting the need for confidentiality where appropriate.
Any change to INTERPOL’s Constitution requires a quorum, or two-thirds, of the total number of member countries, which today stands at 195 meaning a minimum of 130 votes in favour were required.
The 13-member Executive Committee is the governing body in charge of supervising the execution of the General Assembly’s decisions and the administration and work of the General Secretariat. It meets three times a year and sets organizational policy and direction. Its members are elected by the General Assembly and are geographically balanced.
