A five-member Russian delegation took part in the 66th IPA World Congress in Athens.
The status of the IPA Russian Section was a key item on the Congress agenda and attracted the attention of virtually all delegates. Despite attempts by several countries to initiate its exclusion from the international police community, the carefully prepared and substantiated position of the Russian delegation persuaded a majority of delegates and enabled the Section to defend its interests in the European forum for the second time that year. This was an important result for strengthening the international standing of the Russian police and the country’s law-enforcement institutions.
As Ivan Sardak, Head of the delegation, stated: “Police officers around the world understand one another well, because they have only one common enemy: crime. A decision to exclude the Russian side from the police community would clearly benefit only international crime.”
According to UN data, crime worldwide grows by 5% each year. Success in countering this threat depends on consolidating the efforts of police officers in all countries, including through public organisations such as the International Police Association.
It would be inconsistent to exclude the IPA Russian Section at a time when the UN General Assembly, in December of the previous year, adopted a resolution on strengthening international police cooperation at the global level and established 7 September as International Day of Police Cooperation, marking the centenary of Interpol.
The 66th Congress also presented a music video produced by the IPA Russian Section to mark Interpol’s centenary. Its central theme was police solidarity as a foundation for successful action against transnational crime. Delegates noted that this message was especially relevant in the current circumstances. The video concludes with the words: “We are together, and our friendship will endure as long as we fight evil.”
In the open vote, 49 of the 60 countries represented at the Congress supported the IPA Russian Section, while 11 voted for exclusion. The number of countries supporting the IPA Russian Section had thus increased significantly that year.
For reference: at the 65th World Congress in 2021, 19 countries voted in favour of exclusion; at the 66th World Congress, the figure was 11.
This gives confidence that the country’s participation in joint efforts to counter international crime, together with other countries, will continue.
On 27 October 2023, elections were held to the IPA International Executive Board. Pierre-Martin Moulin left office. Following the vote, the International Executive Board for the next four years was composed as follows: President — Martin Hoffmann (Austria); Vice-President — Michael Welch (Ireland); Treasurer — Michael Welch (Ireland); Secretary General — Jože Senica (Slovenia); Chair of the International Affairs Commission — Oliver Hoffmann (Germany); Chair of the Professional Commission — Diego Trolezze (Italy); Chair of the Social and Cultural Commission — Christos Parginos (Greece); Head of Administration — Clive Wood (United Kingdom).
The Congress reflected a sustained trend towards closer cooperation among the sections of post-Soviet countries: Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova. This cooperation helped the Kyrgyz Section become a full member of the International Police Association; its President is Major General of Police Sheishenbek Baizakov.
During the Congress, the IPA Russian Section held working meetings with all members of the newly elected Executive Board and with many delegates from participating countries, receiving friendly support, understanding and a willingness to engage in dialogue.
The atmosphere at the 66th World Congress, organised by the Greece Section, was exceptionally welcoming and constructive. The hosts of the year’s principal police event also gave participants an opportunity to become acquainted with the cultural and historical landmarks of Athens.
It should also be noted that, before and during the World Congress, the delegation felt the support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. The results of its work on the margins of the 66th World Congress were published on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
Congress were published on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. In summary, at the police congress in Athens, which brought together representatives of more than 60 countries, the Russian delegation retained the IPA Russian Section’s membership of the International Police Association, contributing to the standing and authority of Russian policing and of the country as a whole.
Following the World Congress, the traditional Police Friendship Week began. The Russian delegation, led by Police Colonel Mikhail Zubarev, a member of the Moscow Regional IPA Branch, also took part.
In 2024, the 67th World Congress and the following Police Friendship Week were scheduled to take place in October in the Republic of North Macedonia.
