Vienna (Austria), 19 October 2020 — Following five days of deliberations by Member States, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly commended the work of participants in her closing speech for the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). Ms. Waly further highlighted the unprecedented achievement of applying technology to keep delegates safe while still discussing and passing a record seven resolutions – the highest number ever for a COP session.
“[…] Together, we have shown once again that with cooperation, dedication and good will, we can prevail over any obstacles in our path,” she noted.
The week’s hybrid proceedings brought together delegations from 121 State parties and 101 observer NGOs, UN partners, civil society representatives and other organizations. Sixty side events were held in the course of the week.
Member States adopted seven resolutions on the UNTOC review mechanism, the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of UNTOC, trafficking in firearms, trafficking in persons, trafficking in cultural property, environmental crime and falsified medical products.
The resolutions adopted at this session will help UNODC and its partners tackle the challenges posed by the global pandemic, such as strengthening cooperation to battle against the rise of falsified medical products during the COVID-19 health crisis.
“They target continuing and emerging challenges posed by environmental crime and the trafficking of cultural property, and reinforce efforts to prevent and stop illicit firearms and trafficking in persons,” clarified Ms. Waly.
The achievements from the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties will pave the path forward as UNODC continues to provide legislative and technical assistance as well as capacity building and research to support State parties’ implementation of the Convention and its Protocols.
“Recovering better and recovering together require us to shield the integrity of our support systems, and to protect people from criminal exploitation and corruption,” offered UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly.
“The resolutions and new review mechanism resulting from this Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime can provide decisive support.”
Watch highlights from the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) below:
