Vienna (Austria) - 21 October 2024. Effective international cooperation is crucial in the fight transnational against organized crime. To achieve this goal, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), signed by 192 parties, was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2000. To promote and review the implementation of this Convention, a Conference of the Parties to the Convention takes place every two years.
The twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC COP12) was held in Vienna, from 14 to 18 October 2024. It convened 1400 participants from government, international organizations, and civil society to discuss priorities to advance the fight against transnational organized crime. Among the participants, over 500 Non-Governmental Stakeholders representing NGOs, Academia and the Private Sector attended as observers and contributed through statements and side events. 26 of the 59 side events were organized or co-organized by civil society organizations (CSOs).
To ensure meaningful and effective engagement of non-governmental stakeholders throughout the conference, the UNODC Civil Society Unit (UNODC CSU) together with the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (Alliance) organized an NGO briefing on Monday, 14 October, to inform some 50 participants about the conference modalities and events throughout the week. Also on Monday, UNODC CSU co-organized a round table discussion with the United Stats of America, exploring the role of civil society in countering transnational organized crimes specific to trafficking in persons. Civil society shared useful perspectives related to organized fraud as it pertains to human trafficking, modern day slavery, partnership with the private sector, among others.
During the Conference, Non-governmental stakeholders had the opportunity to exchange with UNODC Executive Director, Ghada Fathi Waly, at an informal dialogue on Wednesday, October 16. The meeting highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation in effectively countering transnational organized crime. Ms Waly concluded with an active call for civil society participation: “Keep coming and participating in larger numbers. Keep voicing your concerns, do it very loud, and push us to do better.” Further, the newly elected President for UNTOC COP12, Ambassador of Slovakia, Peter Burian, met with non-governmental stakeholders to discuss their engagement in the Conference for the coming two years.
The Civil Society Unit’s side event titled, “Uniting forces: strengthening multistakeholder collaboration against transnational organized crime” was moderated by Billy Batware, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, showcased effective and innovative partnerships between governments and non-government actors in the fight against organized crime, fostering proactive and preventive actions. The event focused on the Voluntary Pilot Initiatives (VPI) coordinated by the UNODC Civil Society Unit, which aim at creating a space for dialogue and action between governments and civil society at the national level, identifying country-specific priorities and implementing a roadmap for a joint fight against organized crime.
The power and abilities of young people to contribute to a safer world were highlighted during a side event on youth engagement in the prevention of organized crime. “My vision is for a UN where youth are embedded not as a separate consultation group, but as integral advisors in shaping crime prevention policies and implementation at the highest levels. We, the youth, have the energy, the innovation, and the urgency. The UN has the platform, the reach, and the responsibility.”, noted Fernanda Rokha, youth representative from Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile.
The side event was a follow-up to the Youth Consultation preceding UNTOC COP12, organized jointly by the UNODC Civil Society Unit, Strategic Planning and Inter-Agency Affairs Unit (SPIA) and the Organized Crime Branch. The outcomes of the consultation were presented at the plenary session to the Member States, in a statement given by two young participants. This was the first time in the history of UNTOC COP that a youth statement was delivered through a coordinated process. They formulated concrete recommendations and advocated for meaningful engagement of youth in countering and preventing organized crime, including the need to work with local communities, institutionalizing the meaningful engagement and leadership of young people across policy and decision-making.
Moreover, the UNODC Civil Society Unit supported a side event dedicated to the launch of the Civil Society Declaration on More Effective Implementation of the UNTOC, organized by the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. With more than 150 signatories, the Declaration advocates for giving civil society the space to act as a key partner in the fight against organized crime. It outlines concrete proposals in eight main areas, pertaining to enhancing the role of civil society in the implementation of UNTOC, strengthening international and multistakeholder collaboration, adopting a whole of society and victim-centred approach, addressing urgent threats, and putting human rights at the core of the fight against organized crime.
The twelfth session of COP UNTOC showcased the vital role that civil society plays in shaping and advancing global efforts to combat transnational organized crime. The record participation of non-governmental stakeholders highlighted a growing recognition of the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, both by governments and non-governmental stakeholders. As this engagement continues to evolve, it will remain a critical driver in ensuring that international policies are more responsive, inclusive, and effective in addressing the complex challenges of organized crime.
