Launch of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Asia Pacific
28 law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies from 21 jurisdictions in Asia-Pacific and 6 international organisations including UNODC gathered in Seoul, Republic of Korea on 19-20 November 2013 for the Inaugural General Meeting of the Asset Recovery Interagency Network of Asia and the Pacific, so called “ARIN-AP” and agreed to launch “ARIN-AP” for expedited informal interagency cooperation on asset recovery across borders.
The idea of regional asset recovery networks came with the establishment of the Camden Asset Recovery Interagency Network which currently serves Europe and North America. ARIN-AP is an outcome of the continuous efforts of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime GPML (Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Financing of Terrorism) and ROSEAP (Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific). ARIN-AP, like its sister organisations in other parts of the world, will provide a platform for the jurisdictions of Asia Pacific to work together at an informal level to quickly share intelligence and identify and seize criminal assets.
Through promoting ‘informal’ direct communication among contact points for efficient asset recovery prior or during formal mutual legal assistance, ARIN-AP will establish itself as a centre of information and expertise, and promote exchange of information and best practice.
Indonesia will hold the Presidency of ARIN-AP for 2014 and the next Annual General Meeting will be held in Yogyakarta in May 2014 organized by the Indonesian Attorney General’s Office.
