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public and the private sector, in order to combat the increas-

ing complexities of transnational crime. INTERPOL has start-

ed implementation of OASIS in Africa and is committed to

adapting and extending the programme to meet the needs of

other regions around the world. INTERPOL has had a lengthy

presence in Africa, and has noted the need to provide opti-

mum support to this region. While the types of crime com-

mitted are common to other regions of the world – such as

trafficking in drugs, human beings, weapons and vehicles –

there is a pressing need to boost police resources in many

African countries.

The underlying principle of OASIS is that no country can

be left behind. The world’s wealthy regions have a responsi-

bility to help the more vulnerable ones to build their police

capacity. For instance, the trafficking of wildlife products in

Africa is a lucrative trade of environmental concern, often

connected to other crimes and with an impact on other re-

gions of the world.

INTERPOL is working with countries in Africa and companies

in the private sector to assess the extent of the problem and to

devise plans of action. Common to all these problems is a need

for tighter border security – imperative in preventing criminals

travelling freely and in stemming the flow of illegal products

between countries and continents. This can only be achieved if

a solid global framework is in place, eliminating any weak spots

that could be exploited by criminals.

INTERPOL

is the world’s largest international police orga-

nization, with 188 member countries. Created in 1923, it fa-

cilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and

assists all organizations, authorities and services whose mis-

sion is to prevent or combat international crime. INTERPOL’s

General Secretariat is located in Lyon, France, with six Sub-Re-

gional Bureaus across the world, and Special Representatives

at the United Nations in New York and the European Union in

Brussels. Each member country maintains a National Central

Bureau staffed by national law enforcement officers.