Amman: A regional workshop, themed "Cross-Border Cooperation and Combating Transnational Crime," opened Tuesday in Amman under the patronage of Public Security Directorate (PSD) Chief Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Maaytah. The event was attended by Vice President of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences for External Relations Khalid AlHarfash and International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Othman Belbeisi.
According to Jordan News Agency, the three-day workshop is organized by the Public Security Directorate in cooperation with Naif Arab University for Security Sciences and the IOM. Its primary goal is to enhance cooperation among participating countries and develop their security capabilities in border management and combating transnational crime, in line with the best international practices.
In his opening remarks, Maj. Gen. Maaytah highlighted that organized cross-border crime has become "increasingly complex" due to the exploitation of legal and technological loopholes. He emphasized the need for strengthening joint cooperation, improving information exchange, and raising operational and intelligence readiness, particularly in the face of rapid developments in the digital space and artificial intelligence applications.
Maaytah also pointed out that Jordan, under directives from His Majesty King Abdullah II, supports international efforts to combat crimes that threaten global peace and security. This is achieved by updating security legislation, developing national strategies, and strengthening regional and international partnerships in policing and security fields.
AlHarfash, representing Naif Arab University, noted that the workshop marks the launch of a series of specialized initiatives in border management. These initiatives reflect the "depth of institutional" cooperation with the PSD and IOM. He stressed the importance of migration governance and border security due to their direct implications for national security, development, and international relations.
Belbeisi praised the partnership among the organizing institutions, stating that the current stage necessitates "intensified international efforts, advanced regional coordination, and constructive dialogue." He mentioned that hosting the workshop in Jordan underscores the Kingdom's role as a "regional hub for dialogue and coordination on security, mobility, and governance issues."
The workshop brings together officials and security experts from various regional and international entities. Its agenda includes discussion sessions and working papers that address practical and technical challenges facing law enforcement agencies. Additionally, there will be presentations on leading international experiences in border security, aimed at producing actionable recommendations to enhance border security and support international stability through improved coordination mechanisms.