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The South African government?s security doctrine is premised on the understanding that promoting mutual friendship amongst the people and nations of the world is paramount to the provision of security.

The scourge of crime does not respect borders and syndicates have made the entire globe the theatre of their operations. The formation of INTERPOL in 1923 was humanity?s expression and recognition that crime and criminality is number one enemy of social progress against humankind.

Interpol is the largest international police organisation, with 188 member countries. It facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organisations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime.

The INTERPOL aims to facilitate international police co-operation even where diplomatic relations do not exist between particular countries. Action is taken within the limits of existing laws in different countries and in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The hosting of successful FIFA World Cup by an African country, to us was a demonstration of an element of a dynamic political, social and economic process of a world redefining itself in the era of globalization.

We have as Africans declared this century as African Century. As such we see the hosting of FIFA World Cup as Africans hosting the world in South Africa. Indeed this was a truly African World Cup.

The field of major event planning, preparation and support has increased significantly in recent years. The threat of terrorism and event disruption has forced host countries to dedicate more time and resources to these events. Increasingly, member countries are requesting support from INTERPOL, not only in the lead up to an event but for its duration.

South Africa has worked closely with the number of other international agencies on the best methods to gather, analyse and utilise accordingly the intelligence information. To us INTERPOL acted as a central repository for professional and technical expertise on transnational organised crime and as a clearinghouse for the collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of information relating to organised crime and criminal organisations.

INTERPOL has helped us to identify major criminal threats with potential to disrupt the World Cup event and to pursue strategic partnerships with various organisations and institutions. Pursuing the route of international co-operation is because we recognized that terrorism is one of the prime evils that has plagued our world today, terrorists are prepared to kill and maim innocent people.

The ability of police to exchange crucial data quickly and securely is a cornerstone of effective international law enforcement. INTERPOL?S mission in this regard is to enhance co-operation among member countries and stimulate the exchange of information between all national and international enforcement bodies concerned with countering organised crime groups and related corruption.

The people and government of South Africa wishes to thank INTERPOL, member Countries, those countries that participated and those who did not participate in the field of play for their co-operation and willingness to share information with our security agencies thus making sure that the event goes smoothly without any security breach.

Definitions of what constitutes organised crime vary widely from country to country. However, organised groups are typically involved in many different types of criminal activity spanning several countries. These activities may generally include cyber crime, trafficking in humans, weapons and drugs, armed robbery, counterfeiting and money laundering.

The networks of crime have grown in their reach and sophistication across national boundaries. To us, as South Africans, the FIFA World Cup event has once more confirmed our belief in collective effort in the fight against crime. As modern and progressive world, we need to intensify our globalised approach in the fight against crime and criminality in general. It cannot be that crime syndicates remain sophisticated than law enforcement authorities the world over.

The hosting of this important event has helped us to enhance our ability to monitor and analyse information related to specific areas of activity and criminal organisations. The drug trade and its associated problems continue to grow in most parts of the world. Global abuse and accessibility of drugs has become increasingly complex, as trafficking routes have become shorter, more diverse and more easily traversed.

The drug trade involves growers, producers, couriers, suppliers, dealers and users and affects people in almost all of INTERPOL?s 188 member countries. The effect of drug abuse is the disintegration of nations and distort the moral fibre of society thus undermining the rule of law. It has to be fought with all the power and the means at our disposal. It is one major waste of human endeavor to social progress.

INTERPOL?s primary drug-control role is to identify new drug trafficking trends and criminal organisations operating at the international level and to assist all national and international law enforcement bodies concerned with countering the illicit production, trafficking and abuse of drugs.The struggle against the threat of criminal activity which causes instability in many societies, is the struggle to live in peace and harmony.

Through organisations like INTERPOL, humankind demonstrates firmness in opposition to all crime mongers. The important thing now is for all these powerful forces to unite in the struggle for peace. We should not underestimate the resolve of these criminals. Criminal gangs will employ every trick in the book to disunite, disorganise, destabilise forces such as Interpol through fraud, bribery, corruption and by direct intimidation.

It is our task, individually and collectively to safeguard the firmness and purity of Interpol. It is also our duty to jealously protect this body as a potent force for hope and a symbol of triumph over evil. We must strive to raise the title and the significance of Interpol, higher and higher and still higher. We as police officers, police chiefs and police Ministers are looked upon as a model in everything, work and conduct.

We have to live and work in such a way that ordinary citizens could say, ?Yes this is a real police officer, Police Chief or Police Minister?. Our task is to show tireless concern for the purity of Interpol ranks and dependability of its members. Our everyday practical work should always be accompanied by honest and noble concern for the INTERPOL cause.

We have to win this war against crime, in spite of the obstacles on our way. As the African proverb say ?however long the night, the dawn will break?. In unity we shall overcome crime.