Valdecy Urquiza Elected New Secretary General of Interpol

Brazilian Federal Police Commissioner Valdecy Urquiza has been elected as the new Secretary General of Interpol at the organization’s 92nd General Assembly, held in Glasgow, Scotland, from November 4 to 7, 2024. Urquiza will take over the role from the outgoing Secretary General, Jurgen Stock, on November 7, 2024, marking a significant leadership transition in the world’s largest police organization.

Leadership Transition at Interpol

Who is Valdecy Urquiza?

Valdecy Urquiza is a seasoned police officer from Brazil with extensive experience in global policing and international law enforcement. Upon being elected, Urquiza expressed gratitude to the delegates of member countries for their trust and support. He emphasized his commitment to:

• Promoting equality and diversity within the organization.
• Strengthening international collaboration to ensure effective investigations and operations.
• Implementing capacity-building initiatives tailored to address regional policing issues.

Urquiza’s election is seen as a step toward fostering inclusivity and innovation in Interpol’s operations.

Jurgen Stock’s Legacy

Jurgen Stock, who served as Secretary General for 10 years, played a crucial role in modernizing Interpol and enhancing its role in combating transnational crimes. His tenure was marked by significant advancements in:

• The use of technology for global policing.
• Strengthening frameworks for international police cooperation.

Stock’s leadership is widely acknowledged for its transformative impact on the organization.

92nd Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow

The Interpol General Assembly is an annual event where member countries convene to discuss critical global policing issues. This year, the event was attended by 1,000 delegates from Interpol’s 195 member countries.

India’s Representation

India was represented by:

• Praveen Sood, Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
• Vijayendra Bidari, Joint Director in the federal anti-corruption agency.

Their participation underscores India’s commitment to enhancing international police cooperation and addressing global security challenges.

Key Developments at the Assembly

• Updated Repository of Practice (RoP):
  Interpol published an updated Repository of Practice, which outlines guidelines for assessing requests for international police cooperation. This includes protocols for issuing notices and diffusions, ensuring transparency and compliance with international legal standards.
• Focus Areas:
  Discussions at the assembly revolved around enhancing global strategies to tackle:
  • Cybercrime
  • Transnational organized crime
  • Human trafficking
  • Terrorism

Significance of the Leadership Change

Global Policing Challenges

With increasing global security threats, Urquiza’s leadership is expected to:

• Strengthen international collaboration among member countries.
• Enhance Interpol’s ability to address emerging crimes, such as cybercrime and financial fraud.

Commitment to Regional Policing

Urquiza’s focus on capacity building reflects a commitment to providing region-specific solutions. By addressing local challenges, Interpol aims to bolster the effectiveness of its operations worldwide.

Summary of the News