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A MESSAGE REGARDING THE FUTURE OF IOACIS AND ICTOCT
A Message Regarding the Future of IOACIS and ICTOCT
It is with a heavy heart and great regret that I share the following announcement regarding the future of the International Organization of Asian Crime Investigators & Specialists (IOACIS) and the International Conference on Transnational Organized Crime and Terrorism (ICTOCT). Following careful consideration and extensive discussion, the IOACIS Board of Directors has unanimously voted to dissolve IOACIS and bring ICTOCT to a close. This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly. Over the years, the environment in which we operate has changed significantly. Economic conditions, evolving priorities within the law enforcement community, changes in funding and government operations, increasing operational and conference costs and challenges in maintaining participation have all affected our ability to continue operating in the manner in which we have for so many years. The traditional model of large, in-person conferences and professional networking has also become increasingly difficult to sustain. The costs associated with hotels, conference facilities, food and beverage, audiovisual services, room blocks, travel and other essential conference requirements have continued to increase. At the same time, available funding and institutional support have become more limited, making it increasingly difficult to conduct conferences without placing significant financial responsibility and risk on those supporting the organization. After many years of working to address these challenges and exploring various options for the future, the Board of Directors concluded that continuing under the current circumstances would not be sustainable. The decision to conclude operations was therefore determined to be the most responsible course of action. A Legacy of Service While this is undoubtedly a difficult moment, it is also a time to reflect with tremendous pride on what IOACIS and ICTOCT accomplished. For 23 years, IOACIS served as a forum for professional collaboration, information sharing, intelligence exchange and training among law enforcement professionals. For 48 years, ICTOCT brought together investigators, prosecutors, federal agents, intelligence analysts, forensic specialists, military representatives and law enforcement professionals from over 30 countries around the world. Through these efforts, thousands of professionals had the opportunity to share knowledge, exchange experiences, develop lasting professional relationships and work together in support of a common mission. That legacy belongs to everyone who contributed along the way. I want to personally express my deepest gratitude to every Board member, coordinator, presenter, sponsor, law enforcement partner, agency representative, attendee, volunteer and friend who gave their time, energy, expertise, guidance and support to make IOACIS and ICTOCT possible. Without your dedication and belief in the mission, none of this would have been possible. Twenty-three years of IOACIS and 48 years of ICTOCT represent an incredible chapter in our organization’s history. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together and grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it. Thank You! Although this chapter is coming to an end, the friendships, professional relationships and memories created over these many years will remain. I will genuinely miss working with all of you and perhaps most of all, seeing so many familiar faces each year at the conference. Those annual gatherings became much more than professional events; they became opportunities to reconnect with friends and colleagues from around the world. Thank you for your friendship, your dedication, your guidance, your support and for being part of this incredible journey. It has truly been a great ride. Please stay in touch. Be safe, take care of yourselves and your families and may you all have continued success in the years ahead. With sincere appreciation and gratitude, Best Regards, Ben Leong IOACIS President / Executive Director ICTOCT Coordinator
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