INTERPOL urges nations to adapt to changes in fight against terrorism

Secretary general of Interpol Jürgen Stock recently urged agencies across the globe to adapt to the evolving and expanding nature of transnational terrorist organizations.

At a meeting on countering the cross-border movement of terrorism, Stock said that effective information sharing, capacity building and regional structures are key to the global response to terrorism.

“Across the world, attacks are becoming less predictable,” Stock said. “Soft targets dominate the picture and radicalization cycles are shortening. This requires faster decisions at the front lines and at borders. Information sharing, capacity building and strong regional delivery are the pillars of INTERPOL’s counter-terrorism strategy. The aim is connecting police worldwide, connecting the dots globally to better understand the threat, and providing the instruments to address it in the field. A global response to a global threat.”

INTERPOL joined a global coalition in July to counter ISIS by enhancing its efforts against the flow of foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) and their financing. INTERPOL currently holds approximately 8,000 FTF records that are accessible in real time. More than 60 member countries contributed to the database. Additionally, INTERPOL will utilize its liaison office in Bangkok and the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore to further strategic opportunities for cooperation.