Officials in charge of drug control work and diplomats from the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) members agreed to deepen regional cooperation on drug control at a seminar which concluded on Friday.

The officials and diplomats from 23 ARF members exchanged views on the work, policies and experiences on drug control and stressed the public participation in drug control at the three-day seminar held in Xi'an, the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Attendees to the seminar agreed that the region was faced with a severe challenge of drug production and drug trafficking, which has posed a threat to regional security, stability and economic development. They stressed that all the ARF members should encourage their social forces to publicize drug control and guide the public to participate in the prevention and crackdown on drug crimes.

The seminar appealed the ARF members to strengthen regional cooperation and exchange of information and experiences in drug control.

The seminar was held according to the agreement of the 14th foreign ministers' meeting of ARF in Manila of the Philippines in August.

Founded in 1994 and with 27 members, the ARF has become the main channel for official multilateral dialogue and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2007)