WELCOME MESSAGES
From the Deputy Prime Minister
I am pleased that Singapore will be hosting the 13th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors in August 2008. It is an honour for Singapore.
The theme of this year’s conference, ‘New Technologies in Crime and Prosecution: Challenges and Opportunities’, is timely. Technology is gaining sophistication at an unprecedented rate. This in turn spawns ever more complex and inventive criminal activity. In recent years, the number of attacks on the IT infrastructure of companies and governments has increased. Phishing, internet fraud, denial of service attacks: these crimes are commonplace in today’s world.
New technologies when used by criminals create challenges for law enforcers, but they also provide opportunities for combating both traditional and new forms of crime. Technology can be a highly effective tool in uncovering and investigating crimes. But law enforcers need to work closely with the industries to keep pace with the latest technology and developments. They need to develop a deep understanding of the associated legal issues and how technology crimes should be prosecuted. While new technology is a powerful weapon against borderless and constantly evolving crime, it must also be enhanced by sharing expertise and extending mutual cooperation through global networks.
The International Association of Prosecutors provides an important platform to discuss the many emerging issues and challenges faced by prosecutors all over the world. I am confident that delegates to the 13th Annual Conference in Singapore will have a productive and stimulating experience.
S Jayakumar
Deputy Prime Minister
From the Attorney-General
Dear colleagues,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Singapore for the 13th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors.
The past decade has witnessed exponential developments on the technological front, such as to permeate virtually all aspects of our global society.
Prosecutors have been compelled to work tirelessly in order to keep up with the technological tools used by criminal syndicates to further their nefarious activities. In line with these developments, we have chosen to adopt the theme of ‘New Technologies in Crime and Prosecution: Challenges and Opportunities’ for this year’s conference.
Technology has proven to be a double-edged sword; besides enabling criminals a novel means of perpetrating their activities, technology has also enabled prosecutors to investigate and prosecute crimes more effectively.
The quality of our criminal justice system rests essentially on our ability to keep abreast of technological developments in the fight against crime.
I hope that this Conference will prove to be a rewarding experience, by offering an insight into the latest developments in this area.
Singapore is honoured to have been chosen as the conference venue this year. As a modern thriving metropolis with one of the highest Internet and cellphone penetration rates in the world, Singapore is well-placed to take on a leading role in the development of new technologies in criminal prosecution.
I hope that you will have an enjoyable stay in Singapore and will leave the 13th Annual Conference with the satisfaction that it has been an enriching event.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Walter Woon
Attorney-General of Singapore
From the IAP President
The Annual Conference of the IAP is the signature event of the year and 2008 will be no exception as it is being held in the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Singapore, the gateway to Malaysia, Indonesia and beyond.
I encourage you to attend; I promise you it will be well worth your while.
The Attorney-General of Singapore Chao Hick Tin is our benevolent host and his industrious team in conjunction with the Secretary-General and General Counsel have prepared a fascinating programme combining professional interest with a cultural experience.
The theme this year is ‘New Technologies in Crime and Prosecution: Opportunities and Challenges’ which is very topical and relevant to the work of the modern day Prosecutor.
Do not be daunted by the title!
This is not just an event for the ‘techies’, but is designed to stretch our minds, open our eyes and raise our awareness of the many technological advances taking place in our professional and domestic environment.
If we, as Prosecutors, can expect to play our part in the fight against crime, it is imperative that we are as technologically up to date as our ‘customers’.
Come to Singapore for the IAP’s 13th Annual Conference ready to be enthralled by the professional programme and entranced by the City which never sleeps.
Yours sincerely,
François Falletti
President, IAP