21St Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Remarks
Honorable Shirley Rivera, the host of the First Parliamentary Forum on Intelligence and Security 2022, welcomed participants to the forum. She expressed Guatemala’s honor in hosting the event and emphasized its significance as an opportunity for participating nations to exchange experiences on complex intelligence and security issues that transcend borders and impact peace and development.
Rivera highlighted that Guatemala, like many countries, confronts substantial challenges in intelligence and security, primarily due to its geopolitical position. She noted that the government has implemented measures to fortify security and justice institutions, thereby mitigating corruption and impunity and enhancing the well-being of its citizens. Additionally, she outlined several legislative reforms recently approved by the Guatemalan Congress, encompassing measures addressing human trafficking, cyber-related crimes against children, electronic judicial notifications, digital processing of court cases, reforms to the military law, and ratification of an international treaty.
Finally, Rivera underscored the planned implementation of further reforms, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity, strengthening the prison system, improving the national police, regulating financial institutions, and combating money laundering and terrorism financing. Rivera concluded by expressing gratitude to the organizers and participants, expressing optimism that the forum would foster cooperation and strategic partnerships, and officially declared the forum open.
