The Battle for INTERPOL’s Executive Committee 2024

By Ross W. Halliday

As INTERPOL’s 92nd General Assembly in Scotland approaches, the world is set to witness one of the most significant elections in law enforcement history.?

With around 24 countries vying for 9 Executive Committee seats, the competition is intense, and the stakes are high,?very high. This historic vote will not only shape the future of INTERPOL but also determine which nations hold strategic influence over global policing in the years to come.

The deadline for countries to submit their candidates has passed, and some have made their bids public—demonstrating a shift toward greater transparency in the election process.

As we congratulate the countries that have chosen to declare their candidacies, we recognize the importance of this openness in an organization whose success relies on global cooperation and mutual trust.

It’s a positive development for international law enforcement cooperation, encouraging accountability and giving member states a clearer picture of who will guide the organization through an increasingly complex security landscape.

The election in Glasgow is not merely about filling seats but about setting the direction for global security cooperation. The newly elected members will work alongside Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi of the UAE, INTERPOL’s current president, and Brazil’s Valdecy Urquiza , the incoming Secretary General. Together, they will guide INTERPOL through a world where geopolitical tensions are rising, transnational crime is evolving, and technological innovations are reshaping the very nature of policing.

INTERPOL’s Executive Committee elections have always been a platform for countries to assert their leadership on the global stage, but this year feels particularly pivotal. Nations are vying for positions not just to support INTERPOL’s crime-fighting operations but to have a say in how geopolitical priorities are reflected in the organization's work.

In an era marked by regional instability, terrorism, and cybercrime, having a seat at INTERPOL’s top table is more than a symbolic victory—it’s a chance to shape the global security agenda.

Countries with both global reach and regional clout will naturally seek to use their influence to further their interests, whether that’s combating drug trafficking, tackling human trafficking, or addressing new security threats like financial fraud or cross-border cybercrime.

But beyond these priorities, the election reflects the broader?geopolitical jockeying?as nations seek to extend their influence in international organizations. While the competition is fierce, the 2024 elections also provide an opportunity for countries to come together around a shared goal: strengthening global policing networks.?

As INTERPOL’s outgoing Secretary General Jurgen Stock reminded the world during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, no country can tackle the security challenges of the 21st century on its own.

INTERPOL Secretary General addressing UNGA

For the countries that succeed in securing seats, the road ahead is not an easy one. They will face the dual challenge of addressing immediate security needs while also preparing INTERPOL to adapt to the long-term shifts in the global landscape. The rise of new technologies, the threat of international terrorism, and the ongoing disruptions caused by global conflicts will all be on the agenda for the next Executive Committee.

The transparency we’ve seen in this election process is an encouraging sign for the future. It’s a reminder that INTERPOL’s strength lies in its ability to bring together a diverse array of nations and perspectives to tackle crime in all its forms.?

As we head toward November, it will be the responsibility of the elected Executive Committee members to carry that spirit of cooperation forward, ensuring that INTERPOL remains a vital force for good in an increasingly divided world.

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