Vanuatu has officially joined the world’s police body, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). The application was approved during 87th Interpol’s General Assembly, which took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 18th to 21st of November 2018. As of 2018, the police organization unites 194 member countries.

Interpol is an information-sharing network that works to combat money laundering through the global exchange of data, support of operations in the field, and by providing a way for national police forces to cooperate effectively in order to tackle international crime.

Vanuatu’s membership of Interpol means that its national law enforcement can both share and receive vital police information instantly from around the world and across a range of crime areas, including economic crime, human trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime and other organized criminal activities. However, whilst the widest possible cooperation is encouraged, member countries retain full ownership of the data they share, deciding with which other countries to share it.

Pacific Private Bank is happy with the opportunity given to Vanuatu to work together with Interpol on cross-border investigations and to help the world addressing the growing challenges of fighting crime in the 21st century.

More information available at: www.interpol.int/News-and-media/News/2018/N2018-138