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Strengthening International Cooperation in Combating Maritime Crime

On 29 October 2026, at the United Nations premises in Viet Nam, Mr. Au Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Viet Nam Customs Department, attended the launch event of Phase III (2026–2029) of the Project to Strengthen Maritime Law Enforcement Capacity in Viet Nam, implemented by the Global Maritime Crime Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (GMCP/UNODC), with funding from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Department of State. The event was attended by Ms. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam; Ms. Courtney Beale, Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Viet Nam; representatives of UNODC responsible for the Asia region; and representatives of Viet Nam’s law enforcement agencies, diplomatic missions and international organizations.

The event aimed to review the results of cooperation achieved in previous phases and present the objectives, strategic direction and priority activities of the Project for 2026–2029. Over the two previous phases, GMCP/UNODC organized 30 formal training courses, with 491 participants from the Customs, Coast Guard, Fisheries Surveillance and other relevant agencies. The training covered maritime domain awareness, boarding skills, vessel inspection and search, arrest, information analysis and evidence handling.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Director General Au Anh Tuan highly appreciated the continued and practical efforts and support provided by UNODC and INL to Viet Nam’s law enforcement agencies, including the Customs force, which have contributed to strengthening professional capacity and inter-agency coordination. For the new project phase, he proposed that UNODC continue supporting advanced training in maritime control and law enforcement, the application of technology to information analysis and risk identification, and the development of a pool of national trainers. He also affirmed that the Viet Nam Customs Department would continue working closely with UNODC and relevant agencies to effectively implement the Project’s activities.

Mr. Au Anh Tuan speaks at the lanching ceremony.

During Phase III (2026–2029), GMCP/UNODC plans to deliver 18 professional skills development training courses, focusing on three priority areas: preventing and combating illicit drug trafficking by sea; combating smuggling and the illicit transportation of goods by sea; and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Project’s activities are expected to help strengthen maritime law enforcement capacity, enhance cooperation among Viet Nam’s law enforcement agencies and international partners, safeguard maritime security and safety, and improve efforts to combat transnational crime.

Group photo