Global crime response founded on fair, efficient, and humane criminal justice systems, says UNODC Chief at signing ceremony for 13th UN Crime Congress.
Vienna, 22 September 2014 - The Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, today expressed his warm thanks to the government of Qatar for hosting the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. His comments came during an official signing ceremony for the UN Crime Congress between Qatar and UNODC held in Vienna, Austria at the Vienna International Centre.
Mr. Fedotov said: "I welcome the decision of the Government of Qatar to hold the 13th UN Crime Congress in Doha. This event is at the heart of the global response to the challenges we face in strengthening criminal justice responses to all forms of crime, especially human trafficking, migrant smuggling, wildlife crime, and the many other activities of transnational organized criminal groups."
"If we are to successfully confront these threats," he went on to say, "we need close cooperation in the areas of information sharing and joint operations against criminals. The UN Crime Congress helps by promoting efficient, fair, and humane criminal justice systems that are the bedrock for responding to organized crime and invaluable in building sustainable development."
Mr. Fedotov drew attention to the fact that the UN Crime Congress was happening in the same year as the discussion on the post-2015 development agenda that builds on the Millennium Development Goals. He said: "Given the tremendous impact crime has on development, next year's UN Crime Congress will be especially important for the UN, Member States and civil society."
Attending the signing ceremony on behalf of the Qatar government were the Vice-President of the National Organizing Committee, Ahmed Al-Hammadi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al-Mansouri, as well as another representative from the Mission of Qatar to the United Nations.
The Thirteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice will be held in Doha, Qatar, from 12 to 19 April 2015. It will examine such issues as international cooperation, effective responses to emerging crimes, the challenges of promoting the rule of law to support sustainable development, and national approaches to public participation in strengthening crime prevention and criminal justice.
For further information, please contact:
David Dadge
Spokesperson, UNODC
Phone: (+43 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at]unvienna.org
