The International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) was established in 1995 at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria, and is the only worldwide organization of prosecutors. It spans six continents and encompasses over 175 jurisdictions, representing thousands of prosecutors. A non-political and non-governmental organization, the IAP is committed to upholding the rights of prosecutors, ensuring prosecutorial standards are maintained, and promoting the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Between Sept 7 and 10, the IAP's 30th Annual Conference and General Meeting, hosted by the Attorney General's Chambers of Singapore, was held at Singapore's Shangri-La Hotel. The theme was "The Versatile Prosecutor and the Administration of Criminal Justice." The Conference was attended by over 450 prosecutors from 90 countries, including about fifty heads of prosecution services.

On Sept 7, at the opening ceremony, the assembled prosecutors were welcomed by the President of the Republic of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.  

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In his welcoming message, the IAP President, Juan Bautista Mahiques, Attorney General of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, said the Conference would examine new forms of criminal activity, the use of expert digital evidence, the strengthening of international cooperation and the need for cross-disciplinary training for prosecutors.

For his part, the Attorney General of the Republic of Singapore, Lucien Wong, said prosecutors would be able to share insights on how they could "navigate new forensic technologies and scientific advancements, develop cross-cutting capabilities to combat evolving criminal trends, and adapt to emerging challenges in the field of criminal justice."

The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region joined the IAP as its 75th organizational member in 2001, and has been active in its affairs ever since. It hosted the IAP's 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in 2003, its 12th Annual Conference in 2007, and its 11th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in 2024.

China's four prosecution services were well represented at the Conference, and each played a full part.

The first deputy prosecutor general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China, Tong Jianming, addressed the Conference on "Turning the tables on new forms of crime." He was also elected to a second 3-year term as IAP Vice-President.

The director of public prosecutions (DPP) of the Department of Justice of the HKSAR, Maggie Yang Mei-kei, addressed the conference on "Technological advancements and the presentation of evidence." On behalf of the Department, she also received the IAP's Certificate of Merit, awarded in recognition of Hong Kong's successful hosting of the IAP's Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in 2024.

The prosecutor general of the public prosecutions office of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Chan Tsz-king, was elected to the IAP's Executive Committee. One of his prosecutors, Mui Cheng Fei, addressed the Conference on "Safeguarding victims in legal proceedings."

The former DPP of the Hong Kong SAR, Grenville Cross, an IAP Senator, attended the annual meeting of the IAP Senate (which promotes the objects and functioning of the association). He also  submitted the interim report of the IAP's Standing Committee on Prosecutors in Difficulty, which he chairs.  

Throughout the Conference, China's prosecutors were able to make a significant impact. By contributing in various areas, they helped to ensure the Conference's success. Although their jurisdictions had different legal traditions and practices, they made common cause in the interests of improved criminal justice. They benefited from the exchange of experiences, the sharing of strategies, and the widening of horizons, and they will now put what they have learned to good use in their home places.