14 May 2018 - The 27th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice began today with a call for integrated global responses to continuing and emerging challenges - including cybercrime, the focus of this year's thematic discussion.
Speaking at the opening session, Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted the importance of cooperation for achieving global goals and countering evolving threats like cybercrime: "This Commission has operated at the forefront of global efforts to enhance crime prevention and criminal justice responses, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals."
"International cooperation and technical assistance to improve law enforcement capacities in all countries to prevent and counter cybercrime are vitally necessary," he said. "I am proud to say that the Commission and UNODC have pursued effective and pragmatic partnerships to strengthen practical efforts in these areas, to train police, prosecutors and judges, educate communities and protect people, most of all children."
He also highlighted the efforts of the Commission to strengthen its role in advancing implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, also in preparations for the 14th Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Japan in 2020.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, on his first official visit to Vienna, is scheduled to address the Commission in the afternoon, along with the Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria, Karin Kneissl.
The 27th session is chaired by Ambassador Lotfi Bouchaara of Morocco, and over the coming days will discuss resolutions addressing crime prevention and criminal justice in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, preventing and countering human trafficking, access to legal aid and restorative justice, among other challenges. Close to 90 events are scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the CCPCJ.
The CCPCJ plays a critical role in advancing collective efforts against national and transnational crime, while strengthening fair and effective criminal justice institutions. As the main policymaking body of the United Nations addressing crime prevention and criminal justice issues, and a governing body of UNODC, the Commission acts as a forum where Member States decide on resolutions and decisions, exchange knowledge and best practices in preventing and countering crime.
Twenty-seventh session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
