At the 5th United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS), held in New York on July 8th and 9th, Gabon reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to international security collaboration. Representing the nation, Adrien Nguema Mba, the Minister of Interior, Security, and Decentralization, passionately articulated the critical need for real-time intelligence exchange and joint data collection to effectively counter burgeoning transnational threats. Accompanied by General Serge Hervé Ngoma, Commander-in-Chief of the National Police Forces, Minister Nguema Mba stressed the paramount importance of a collective approach in confronting organized crime, terrorism, and criminal networks that increasingly operate without regard for national borders.
During discussions centered on the interplay between conflicts, insecurity, and transnational criminality, the Gabonese minister highlighted that contemporary security challenges unequivocally demand closer cooperation among police services. He emphasized that the swift sharing of information has become an indispensable tool for anticipating dangers, coordinating responses, and bolstering the efficacy of national security frameworks. Gabon is thus dedicated to aligning its actions within a dynamic of robust partnerships with regional and international organizations actively engaged in the fight against crime.
Gabon champions cooperation-based security
In New York, Adrien Nguema Mba also showcased Gabon’s existing contributions to police cooperation. The country has been a proud member of the Central African Police Chiefs Committee (CCPAC) since 1997 and actively participates in CEMAC’s policing cooperation mechanisms, alongside utilizing Interpol’s secure I-24/7 communication system. More recently, Libreville has forged strategic agreements with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Customs Organization, and Interpol, all aimed at intensifying efforts against illicit trafficking and organized crime.
The summit provided an opportunity to outline the future direction of the United Nations Police (UNPOL). On this pivotal issue, Gabon advocated for a more agile, specialized, and nationally-owned model of police support. For Gabonese authorities, global security is now inextricably linked to fortified partnerships, enhanced intelligence flow, and operational cooperation capable of responding effectively to the complex security demands of the 21st century.