LYON, France – Senior law enforcement officials from throughout Asia, the South Pacific and the Middle East will gather in Hong Kong (China) from 5-7 March for the 20th INTERPOL Asian Regional Conference.

In addition to focussing on ways to improve information exchange in the region and in particular expansion of access to INTERPOL’s databases to frontline officers in strategic areas such as border control points, the meeting will also focus on issues including travelling sex offenders, drugs trafficking and organised crime.

The opening ceremony and speeches by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mr Donald Tsang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Security, China, Mr Meng Hongwei and INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble will be open to accredited media at 9am on Wednesday 5 March.

A press conference with Secretary General Noble and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tang King-shing will be held at 10am. The remainder of the conference is closed to the media however interviews and press briefings on law enforcement topics will be arranged and a final press release issued at the end of proceedings.

Simultaneous translations of press conference and public sessions will be available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish and for the opening ceremony, Putonghua will also be available.

Journalists wishing to cover the conference are advised to apply immediately for accreditation by submitting requests, including their name, media organisation, nationality, passport number and photograph (in jpeg format) no later than Friday 22 February to Mr Albert Hui, email: sio-publicity-pprb@police.gov.hk; Telephone: +852 2860 6168; Fax: +852 2200 4310.

Journalists must bring their press cards and official identity documents when they arrive at the conference desk for accreditation. The conference will be held at Police Headquarters, 1, Arsenal Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong, China.