The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop on Countering the Use of ICTs for Criminal Purposes was held on 15-16 March 2022 via videoconference, co-chaired by Thailand, Russia, and China. Mr. Bolbongse Vangphaen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, in his opening remarks highlighted the importance of continuing efforts in promoting Confidence Building Measures in the ARF and international cooperation to counter the use of ICTs for criminal purposes, which include engagement with non-state actors.

ARF representatives from both the public, private sectors and academia exchanged views on trends, policies and measures to prevent and combat the use of ICTs for criminal purposes as well as best practices and lessons learnt. The Workshop also emphasised the importance of the inclusion of civil society, private sector and academia in advancing cooperation under the ARF Work Plan on Security of and in the Use of ICTs. The discussions covered topics on 1) Criminalization and Crime Prevention, 2) Topical Issues of International Cooperation on Countering Use of ICTs for Criminal Purposes, 3) International Legal Aspects of Countering Use of ICTs for Criminal Purposes and, 4) The Practice of National and Cross-Border Investigations.

ARF is an important ASEAN-led mechanism for security dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides a forum for the 27 Participants to foster constructive dialogue and consultation towards promoting confidence building measures and preventive diplomacy in the region. The 5 main areas of cooperation under ARF are 1) Disaster Relief, 2) Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, 3) Maritime Security, 4) Non-Proliferation and Disarmament and, 5) Security of and in the Use of ICTs, all of which corresponds to Thailand’s security interests.