The International Police (INTERPOL), on Monday said that its 84th General Assembly which opened on Monday in Rwanda would focus on cross-border security challenges.

This is contained in a statement by INTERPOL and made available to news men in Lagos.

The statement added that the assembly would also address the threat of foreign terrorist fighters, the organised crime networks behind people smuggling and drug trafficking and cybercrime.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the assembly is, ‘INTERPOL 2020: Policing Global Threats in a Dynamic Environment.’

According to the statement, about 640 police chiefs and senior law enforcement officials from 145 countries are expected to attend the assembly, holding from November 2 to 5.

The statement quoted Mr Paul Kagame, the Rwandan President during the opening of the assembly as saying that security was the foundation of everything.

Kagame said that while globalisation presented many opportunities for progress and development, a more connected world also brings an increased risk of crimes.

“Because of the very nature of these crimes, no country can deal with these challenges alone. We must work closely together and this is where INTERPOL excels.

“INTERPOL’s capacity for information sharing and concerted action helps eliminate the gaps where international crime flourishes.

“Moreover, by cultivating the shared values and norms of law enforcement, INTERPOL makes the world a better place.”

The statement noted that the President of INTERPOL, Mireille Ballestrazzi said the theme of the assembly was in line with “keeping with the Organisation’s mission for a safer world and responding to the international community’s expectations.

“Having to confront rapid and increasingly complex changes, and providing the appropriate responses, are an integral part of the development of any country.

“In our globalised environment, a threat for one of us constitutes a threat for all of us and international cooperation is essential for each and every country to guarantee its security.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Mr Paul Kagame, the Rwandan President.

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