Hon'ble Minister for Communications & Information Technology, Govt. of India,
Shri A. Rajaji,
Assistant Director INTERPOL Mr. Noboru Nakatanisan,
Esteemed delegates,
Members of the organizing INTERPOL Team from IPSG Headquarters,
Ladies & Gentlemen.


         It is highly gratifying to witness an overwhelming response to this conference by Delegates from 37 countries and international organizations such as EUROPOL, UNODC, UNCRI and the Council of Europe etc. The delegates consisted of senior police officers and the Resource Personnel were amongst the world renowned experts on cyber crime, which is a testimony of the importance attached by the Global Law Enforcement community to the need to effectively combat the menace of cyber crime. I am pleased to note that the presentations and discussions have been of very high quality, which has immensely enriched the knowledge of the participants.

         2. On behalf of Director, Central Bureau of Investigation and Interpol, I express my gratitude to the Hon'ble Minister for accepting our invitation to deliver the valedictory address to the 7th INTERPOL Conference on Cyber Crime, despite his pressing official and personal commitments. Sir, your gracious presence today is a source of great strength and motivation to us. Your inspiring suggestions regarding building up of multi-sectoral partnerships and trans-border cooperation arrangements have further strengthened our resolve to make joint efforts to combat the menace of cyber crime.

         3. The conference had a comprehensive agenda, covering diverse areas. Each of the major thrust areas, namely the International Cooperation, Police Response, Global Threat Perception, Strategic Partnerships and Future Challenges, I must say, is a very important component in the formulation of policy to combat cyber crime.

         4. As cyber crime has trans-national dimensions and ramifications, international cooperation, upgradation of technological tools, harmonisation of laws and strandardisation of regulatory practices is the need of hour. I am glad to note that amongst several recommendations, one of the importation recommendation of this Conference is to provide international legal and procedural standard in terms of the Convention on cyber crime of the Council of Europe. I commend the Conference for underlying the need for multi lateral efforts to combat cyber crime.

         5. Another important issue concerning international cooperation is the need to have a structured framework for technological cooperation amongst States. ICAO and ITU - agencies in Civil Aviation and Telecommunications sectors are the living examples of international cooperation. Hence, the suggestion to set up a similar body for institutionalising a formal mechanism for cooperation on technical issues, calls for immediate response from the global community.

         6. Every good thing comes to an end; and so does this conference. On behalf of Director, CBI, and on my own behalf, I express deep gratitude to Mr. Ronald K Noble, Secretary General, Interpol to have given us the opportunity to host the Conference. I also express my deep gratitude to the chairpersons of the plenary sessions, Mr. Wolfgang Schreiber, Mr. Christopher Painter, Mr. Michael Moran and Professor Sanjay G. Dhande for their valuable contributions during the deliberations. I also thank the Delegates who made such wonderful presentations, containing new ideas, based on their domestic experiences.

         7. One cannot fully evaluate the success of a conference on its concluding day. Major contributors to the success are the delegates themselves, and the measure of success depends on the follow up action to be taken by them on the resolutions. I, therefore, exhort all the delegates to implement the recommendation of this Conference back home, and thereby advance the cause of cyber crime enforcement.

         8. India has a grand tradition of hospitality. We in the CBI have tried to put our best foot forward in making the arrangements for the Conference. But how far we have succeeded, it is for you to judge. If any deficiencies were experienced in our arrangements, we regret the same.

         9. I believe that this Conference has been a grand success. This would not have been possible without the enthusiastic support of the Deptt. Of Information and Technology, Govt. Of India, and the Industry. I thank the Deptt. Of Information and Technology through you, Sir, for being so generous in giving us moral, technical and financial support. The industry has contributed a lot in the organisation of this Conference. I thank Microsoft India, E-Bay, TCS, Symantec India and MIEL e-Securities for their help, assistance and support, particularly financial one.

         10. I also thank the officers and staff of Vigyan Bhawan for making the arrangements.

         11. Last but not the least, I would thank the members of the Interpol team who travelled all the way from Lyons to New Delhi and helped and guided us in organising the Conference.

         12. I would also like to thank Director, CBI, who decided to host the Conference and guided us at each step in its organisation.

         13. A large number of CBI officers at various levels have worked so hard to organise the Conference. Because of time constraint, it will not be possible for me to mention your names. But you all know who I have in mind.

         12. I wish you all a safe journey back home. Come back to India again.

Thank you.