The George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies kicked off its three-day International Forum on Countering Transnational Organized Crime (CTOC IF), co-hosted at the Italian Carabinieri Officers College in Rome from April 16 to 18.

"It is great to partner with the Marshall Center again for this iteration of the CTOC-IF," said Maj. Gen. Claudio Domizi, Carabinieri Officer’s College Commander, who welcomed participants.

With over 50 attendees representing 19 countries, the event aims to tackle present and emerging threats posed by transnational organized crime (TOC) and explore mitigating strategies. It also delves into regional and international challenges, including the transatlantic dimension.

"Organized crime groups are looking for global markets and we have to look for new tools to cooperate. We should not allow technology to take away from human contact. We also have to be aware of the challenges new technologies, like AI, pose," noted Lt. Gen. Riccardo Galletta, Deputy Commanding General of the Carabinieri Corps.

This year's forum focuses on TOCs gaining political influence and power regionally and internationally, international cooperation and CTOC best practices, conflicts exacerbating TOC such as the Russian war in Ukraine, challenges in the Balkans and Latin America, and emerging trends like synthetic drugs.

"Success relies on two key features: understanding the threat, and achieving unity of effort," said keynote speaker James Saenz, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics and Stabilization Policy. "This effort starts in this forum with all of us. We need to take advantage of institutions like the Marshall Center to bolster international collaboration. It takes a network to defeat a network."

Addressing the interconnectedness of criminal groups and their impact on national security, the forum aims to identify solutions to the evolving threats through comprehensive discussions and collaboration.

"The threats we face are global, demanding a global response. This forum is a catalyst for building stronger international partnerships and developing strategies to dismantle transnational organized crime which is definitely not only a national security threat but a threat impacting each and every country represented here today," said Marshall Center Director Barre Seguin.

This iteration marks the fourth CTOC International Forum organized by the Marshall Center and the third consecutive forum hosted in Rome in partnership with the Italian Carabinieri Officers College.