In 2022, the Lianyungang Forum was upgraded to the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (GPSCFL) and the Forum is now establishing an international board of directors. As a member of the decision-making body, what role do you think the Forum plays in enhancing global public security ？

    Higazy:I think we all agree that we are living in a world of threats, a world that requires cooperation. Crimes have become trans-boundary. For that reason, international cooperation is the only way to combat the multiple crime scenes and activities that affect us all at a global level. So no nation can alone confront the multitude of challenges that we are facing in the public security domain.

    Having said that, we have to appreciate China and the Ministry of Public Security for the very important initiative to confront common trans-national challenges, particularly those related to cyber crime, to the misuse of artificial intelligence, to international terrorism and illegal gambling, illegal trafficking of drugs and the misuse of assets, migrant displacement and illegal immigration and trafficking.

    Around the world, all those kinds of problems and challenges require the global community to join hands together, to enhance efforts to bring peace and stability to the world. China and the Ministry of Public Security have initiated with us as board directors of the Lianyungang Forum a very important global public security initiative through which all minds will work together hand in hand in finding ways and solutions to confront those transboundary challenges that I have stated.

    This collective thinking brought our Lianyungang Forum to produce very important documents such as the concept paper, the annual report, in which we have measured the four most important challenges, which are cyber crimes and three other illegal activities in conclusion.

    The most important thing is that global public security governance is seen by China, our board directors and the Lianyungang Forum as a common direction for mankind along with fulfillment of President Xi Jinping’s three pillars initiatives, including one related to development as a tool for common destiny.

    And the second is related to public security as a tool to assert development and prosperity for mankind.

    The third is the civilization dimension or initiative that the president has brought to the attention of the world, namely that we should live in a world of harmony and common destiny. Also, through these initiatives and the Lianyungang Forum/ GPSCF initiative we are opposing unilateralism. We are with the multilateralism. We are dealing with a new world order that is described by disarray and we need to bring it together in a united front against crime for a common destiny, as President Xi Jinping has established in his three very important initiatives for common destiny for the world.

    You mentioned the board of directors. So would you please elaborate on the function and duty of the board ？

    Higazy:The board is a think tank of different people with various expertise in academia and the police. It is putting forward a new level of thinking about public security. It is not about cracking down on crime — which is a noble cause — but also adding more to the value of commonality and synergies among nations in dealing with public security.

    The new governance of public security is what the board of directors of the Lianyungang Forum has established along with the full support of the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China.

    We are moving ahead in 2 years. We are a recognized world body, as you see today manifested in the huge presence of 2,100 delegates representing 122countries in two years. This is a notion that it seems the world community was waiting for and nobody is able to attain this goal other than China which has contributed again in one of the most important domains, which is public security to the global community through bringing everybody together in a united front against international crime.

    Do you have any further expectations for the forum?

    Higazy:We are organizing our work so that we become a respected international working body along with existing institutions. The Lianyungang Forum should also be an institution recognized worldwide in the very important domain of public security. Because the aim and hope of mankind is to live in safety and in prosperity. You cannot enhance development except through public security.

    For that, the three pillars initiatives of President Xi Jinping are put into practice and we are heading in the future to institutionalize our activities.

    You have mentioned the three pillars in the construction of a global community of shared future many times. It seems you are familiar with President Xi’s initiative.

    Higazy:This is a wonderful vision for mankind: common destiny. And you cannot attain those rules unless you are dealing with development through understandable pillars and views. You can not do development without security, and you cannot build up peace and security without dialogue between nations and civilizations. President Xi Jinping has emphasized that there shouldn’t be confrontation between civilizations, but there should be dialogue and harmonizing our activities to move towards a common destination and commonality and synergy that will help mankind to survive the many challenges we are facing today.

(Republished from the "Modern World Police" Magazine, Issue 10, 2024, Special Edition for the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) 2024 Conference)