Officials from More than 40 Countries to Discuss Combating International Crime

On April 15, U.S. Government officials and non-governmental organization leaders will meet with approximately 70 international judicial, law enforcement, and security officials who are in Washington, D.C. as a part of a high-profile exchange program.  The U.S. and international participants will discuss and explore mutual threats to international peace and security, including narcotics trafficking, trafficking in persons, border security, money laundering, cyber security, wildlife trafficking, and terrorism.

The morning sessions will include an opening by Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan, followed by a keynote from Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs William R. Brownfield.  Following the sessions, a panel discussion moderated by Shawn Henry of CrowdStrike will include panelists from the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, Department of Homeland Security, Interpol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Rashad Hussain, Special Envoy for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications, will close out the morning sessions.

An initiative of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the “Towards a More Safe and Secure World” program facilitates exchange between international law enforcement and security experts and their U.S. counterparts on key issues of mutual interest in combatting international crime, including upholding the rule of law, leveraging partnerships, and defeating terrorism.  A key U.S. foreign policy priority is to build global cooperation against terrorism, especially violent extremism, and other international crime.

Following their meetings in Washington, D.C., program participants will travel to small and mid-sized American cities to gain an understanding of public safety and security issues from state and local law enforcement officials, public officials, and social service and victim assistance providers.  At the end of their three-week program, participants will convene in New York City at the annual Combating International Crime: Global Cooperation Conference, co-hosted with the FBI’s New York Field Office.

Assistant Secretary Brownfield’s morning keynote is open to the press.  Additionally, the panelists and participants will be available to speak with the media.  Attending media must RSVP to eca-press@state.gov.  The plenary is jointly hosted by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

For more information email eca-press@state.gov.