Valdecy Urquiza

Secretary General @Interpol_HQ Connecting #police for a safer world. Former Director of International Cooperation @PoliciaFederal 🇧🇷

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

🇬🇾 Over the past two days in Georgetown, it has been a privilege to meet with police leaders and law enforcement representatives at our Americas Regional Conference.

What I value most about gatherings like these is the opportunity to hear directly from colleagues about the challenges they are facing, the threats affecting their communities, and the innovative ways they are responding to them.

From cyber-enabled fraud and financial crime to drug trafficking, illegal mining and firearms smuggling, the message was clear: criminal networks are increasingly converging, diversifying their activities and operating across borders with growing sophistication.

That reality makes cooperation more important than ever – and we are seeing that happen in real time.

In 2025 alone, INTERPOL National Central Bureaus across the Americas shared over 30 per cent more police records compared to 2024. In turn this produced positive query results more than 50 per cent higher than the previous year - each one a potential breakthrough in a case.

The conversations we had in Georgetown this week – both in and out of the conference room - will help shape how INTERPOL continues to support our member countries.

An example of this will be our new Regional Task Forces. These will focus on high-priority transnational criminal groups, identifying high-value targets and planning operational activity to more effectively identify, disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal networks, their routes, infrastructure and assets.

My thanks to the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Police Force for hosting us, and to all delegates for their engagement and candid contributions.

The criminal threats facing the Americas may be becoming more interconnected, but so too is our collective response.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

🇬🇾 Great to be in Guyana for our @INTERPOL_HQ Americas Regional Conference.

Over the next two days, we’ll be exchanging insights, strengthening partnerships and exploring practical solutions to the crime threats affecting the Americas and beyond.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

In a world where crime knows no borders, international cooperation is our strongest asset.

My first official visit to Finland provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties with one of INTERPOL's most engaged and trusted partners.

Very constructive meetings with Mari Rantanen, Minister of the Interior and National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki, as well as colleagues from the National Bureau of Investigation.

Our discussions focused on enhancing cooperation, sharing expertise and leveraging INTERPOL's global capabilities to address an increasingly complex threat landscape.

I especially appreciated the opportunity to observe firsthand a demonstration by the Finnish Police Special Tactical Unit and the Finnish Border Guard, highlighting the professionalism and preparedness of Finland's law enforcement services.

Thank you to our Finnish counterparts for their warm welcome and longstanding commitment to international police cooperation. Together against crime.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

Bringing fugitives to justice has always been at the heart of INTERPOL's work.

In fact, it was one of the reasons the Organization was created in 1923.

Then, in 1947, came the Red Notice. And what started as a simple sheet of paper became one of the most powerful tools for police cooperation.

Opening the 8th INTERPOL Global Operational Symposium on Fugitives at @INTERPOL_HQ was an opportunity to reflect on how it all began.

Because even though the crime landscape has changed, our commitment has not: no matter how far criminals run, or how long they hide, justice will find them.

It is a commitment to communities living in fear, and to every victim and family waiting for answers.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

🇴🇲 Pleased to welcome Oman’s @sqaps_rop to the Global Academy Network.

This expansion enhances capacity building collaboration between @INTERPOL_HQ and Oman, demonstrating our joint commitment to law enforcement education and its critical role in global security.

Through the INTERPOL Global Academy, Oman joins trusted law enforcement education institutions responsible for identifying and coordinating responses to training needs, ensuring best practices and knowledge exchange are at the forefront of police training.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

Bringing stability to turbulent times is not an easy task, but it is much more difficult when we attempt to do it alone.

As a neutral, global technical platform supporting 196 member countries, @INTERPOL_HQ understands and values the power of multilateralism.

And it was rewarding to see it in action firsthand in Beijing and Lianyungang, China.

From the threats facing the Pacific to how INTERPOL’s tools and capacity building can support law enforcement responses, our discussions helped define how we can further strengthen regional and global security.

Every region is facing growing threats from organized crime groups, including financial crime, human trafficking, environmental crime and cybercrime.

Exchanges like these are essential to ensuring that INTERPOL continues to tailor its capabilities and tools to the evolving needs of its member countries.

It is through strong commitment and true multilateralism that we will make a difference.

My thanks to State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, and to China for being a partner in our response to these global threats.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

True security is built on the strength of our shared networks and the trust between countries.

The International #PoliceCooperationDay is an opportunity recommit to working together to protect communities and uphold the rule of law.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

Together against crime 🤝

[INTERPOL @INTERPOL_HQ]

Police cooperation turns information into action, helping protect people and prevent harm.

This @UN International Day of Police Cooperation, we’re highlighting what can happen when law enforcement and partners work together across borders and sectors.

Because one connection can change what happens next.

#PoliceCooperationDay

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

With Burundi 🇧🇮 playing a vital role in strengthening security across East Africa, it was a pleasure to welcome Major General Joseph Ninteretse, Inspector General of the Burundi National Police to @INTERPOL_HQ

The country's active contribution to INTERPOL operations, especially in the fight against human trafficking and cybercrime, demonstrates its strong commitment to regional and international security.

I’m confident that this visit will further strengthen our collaboration in support of safer communities across the region and beyond.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

Law enforcement leaders from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) deserve real recognition for their dedication and the work they are doing every day.

Despite the complex circumstances facing the region, their commitment to protecting communities remains firm. Their contribution to international police cooperation continues to make a difference far beyond national borders.

🇪🇬 Meeting with MENA countries and partner organizations in Cairo, Egypt, for the 9th INTERPOL’s Chiefs of Police Meeting for the Middle East and North Africa, was a valuable opportunity to listen to their perspectives and better understand how INTERPOL can support their needs. I am committed to ensuring that our expertise and capabilities are available when and where they matter most.

Countries across the region are already achieving significant results. In recent years, we have seen major successes in border security, fugitive investigations, cybercrime and the fight against organized crime. Our role is to help strengthen and expand these efforts.

The region has set ambitious goals for the future, and security is essential to achieving them. INTERPOL stands ready to support the region in shaping a safer future.

My thanks to Egypt for the warm welcome and for hosting this important event at the Police Academy, which reflects the country's strong investment in law enforcement and public security.

I would also like to thank Deputy Minister of Interior Major General Mahmoud Abu Amra; AIMC Secretary General Dr Muhammed Ben Ali Koman; MENA’s police chiefs; and INTERPOL's Executive Committee members from the region, Mohammed Dkhissi, Vice President for Africa and Delegates Issam Fetoui and @AMohammedAlAli, for their valuable contributions to this important exchange.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

Congratulations to all the teams involved in making this operation a success.

This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when 22 countries join forces to combat cyber-enabled financial fraud.

[INTERPOL @INTERPOL_HQ]

🚨 An eight-month operation targeting West African organized crime groups has led to 58 arrests and the identification of 263 suspects.

Groups such as the Black Axe pose an escalating global threat, responsible for a significant share of the world’s cyber-enabled financial fraud, including:

🔵 Romance scams
🔵 Cryptocurrency and investment fraud
🔵 Business email compromise

Bringing together 22 countries from six continents, Operation Jackal IV targeted high-value targets, money laundering schemes and illicit assets to support arrests and facilitate prosecution.

🔗 Details: https://t.co/lu7Cz90xVi

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

INTERPOL's International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database contains more than 6.7 million images and videos that no one should ever have to see. Ever.

Every image is a crime scene, a visual representation of a child’s pain and suffering.

Yet, specialized investigators spend hours every day examining this material, using image comparison technology to identify links between victims, abusers and places.

Thanks to their work, 65,181 victims of child sexual exploitation have been identified since the creation of the ICSE database in 2011. On average, 27 victims have been identified every day in 2026.

This figure is both encouraging and alarming.

Alarming, because behind every number is a child whose abuse was documented and shared online.

Encouraging, because every identification is a step closer to safeguarding a child and bringing a perpetrator to justice.

People working in crimes against children units are exposed to some of the worst aspects of humanity. But they represent some of its very best.

[INTERPOL @INTERPOL_HQ]

🚨 INTERPOL has seen a significant increase in the number of identified victims of child sexual exploitation in recent years.

In the first seven months of 2026, nearly 5,800 new victims have been identified through INTERPOL's International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database.

In 2025, we saw the largest annual increase in identifications since ICSE’s creation in 2011.

This increase reflects global efforts to combat child sexual exploitation, including:

🔵 The creation of dedicated national victim identification units
🔵 Expanded victim identification task forces
🔵 Stronger cross-border coordination

But these efforts tell only part of the story.

The rise in victim identifications is also linked to a growing number of cases involving children who are coerced, manipulated or sextorted into producing self-generated abuse material. These cases often generate large volumes of media per victim, increasing the likelihood of detection.

INTERPOL's Crimes Against Children unit works to:

🔵 Locate and safeguard child victims
🔵 Block access to child sexual abuse material
🔵 Identify offenders

Read more: https://t.co/BmcBNA8i2T

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

As transnational criminal networks become more sophisticated and influential, prisons have emerged as a key battleground that requires a smarter, more coordinated response.

Prisons are no longer isolated institutions at the end of the criminal justice chain. They have become a critical front line in the fight against organized crime.

Criminals exploit communications technologies to manage illicit finances, direct activities, recruit new members and extend their reach far beyond prison walls.

This reality demands a smarter response: one that integrates security, intelligence, technology, justice and international cooperation.

The growing partnership between INTERPOL and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) reflects a shared belief that security, justice and development cannot be addressed in isolation.

And our greatest advantage over criminal networks is one they can never replicate: trust.

Trust between institutions. Trust between countries. Trust that turns cooperation into action.

That's how we build stronger institutions, safer communities and more resilient societies across Latin America and the Caribbean – and beyond.

My thanks to my fellow speakers at this year's Regional Summit on Security and Justice, IDB President Ilan Goldfajn, @AleMonteoliva, Argentina’s Minister of National Security and Wellington Lima e Silva, Brazil’s Minister of Justice and Public Security for your insights on how we can work together against crime.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

Law enforcement cannot tackle crime effectively without a deep understanding of the threats it faces.

The 2026 edition of INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report is an essential resource for everyone working to combat cybercrime. It maps the cybercrime landscape across the region and identifies the actions needed to address rapidly evolving criminal threats.

With a key finding, that 55 per cent of cybercrimes reported across Africa are now AI-enabled, this confirms that criminals are increasingly using AI to scale their operations, increase efficiency and reach new victims.

The financial cost of cybercrime is substantial and has more than doubled since 2024, rising from USD 192 million to USD 484 million.

But the damage is not confined to money.

Behind these numbers are countless victims whose lives have been deeply affected. Online scams, sextortion, cyberbullying, identity theft and financial fraud are disrupting lives every day.

Our ability to prevent, detect, investigate and respond to these crimes more effectively depends on stronger international cooperation, coordinated investigations, investment in capacity building and AI literacy.

Working closely with member countries and private partners, we have seen significant operational successes over the past year.

My thanks go to everyone who contributed to this report and is helping us better assess and address the challenges we face in combating cybercrime. https://t.co/bReuSUu3aZ

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

Criminal networks are increasingly deceiving people with the promise of legitimate jobs, only to trap them in scam centres where they are forced to defraud others.

INTERPOL has been sounding the alarm about the rapid expansion of these scam centres, not only because of the financial harm they cause, but also because of their devastating human cost.

Not everyone working in a scam centre is a victim of human trafficking. But thousands are.

Many leave home believing they have secured their dream job, only to have their passports confiscated, be subjected to extortion, or face violence and intimidation. They are then forced to carry out fraud, cybercrime, money laundering and other criminal activities for the benefit of organized crime networks.

Once concentrated primarily in Southeast Asia, scam centres have now been identified across the Middle East, West Africa and Central America. The victims forced into criminality are being recruited from every region of the world.

On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, I congratulate @UNODC for continuing to shine a light on this growing threat. For @INTERPOL_HQ, it is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to dismantling these criminal networks, protecting victims and strengthening international cooperation to bring those responsible to justice.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

This week I welcomed Prefect Yann Jounot, Chief Executive Officer of CIVIPOL, to INTERPOL headquarters.

We signed a Letter of Intent to strengthen our collaboration, fostering joint initiatives and regular consultation to enhance global security. This reflects our shared commitment to combating terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime and human trafficking, crimes that transcend borders and demand collective action.

🇫🇷 France’s expertise and leadership in these areas are invaluable, and this Letter is a testament to our appreciation for its contributions to global security.

[Valdecy Urquiza @INTERPOL_SG]

North Macedonia 🇲🇰 is demonstrating a strong commitment to international police cooperation, taking concrete action against today's evolving security threats.

From the professionalism of colleagues working in the National Central Bureau, to cross-border cooperation with Albania and joint deployments with Serbian counterparts, I saw firsthand how international collaboration is strengthening policing and enhancing regional security.

During my mission to Skopje, I also met with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski, and Director of the Public Safety Bureau Aleksandar Janev.

Our conversations focused on how stronger international partnerships can help address today's complex security challenges. The country's recent announcement of a new Task Force to Intensify and Coordinate the Fight Against Illicit Drugs is an important example of that commitment in action.

It was equally inspiring to meet the next generation of law enforcement officers at the Police Academy.

Visits like these are a reminder that international law enforcement cooperation is built on people, trust and shared purpose.

Together, we are making policing more connected, more effective and better prepared to protect the communities we serve.