Friday, 15 November 2024, marked the first-ever International Day against Transnational Organized Crime, a day to commemorate all victims of organized crime, including those who have lost their lives, in particular law enforcement and judicial personnel, and to call for renewed engagement to act.
Under the theme Organized crime steals, corrupts and kills. It’s time we pull together to push back, the day was a rallying point for Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and other organizations, as well as other relevant stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, academia, and the media. The day provided a platform to come together and strengthen efforts against the various manifestations of transnational organized crime and their impact on our societies. More than 120 participants, including 60 Member States’ representatives, participated in the event held at the Vienna International Centre and streamed live on UN TV.
To mark this occasion, a high-level panel made up of UNODC, government officials, and civil society who are leading the efforts against organized crime, gathered to exchange experiences and expertise, examining current and past efforts, as well as what the future could hold.
In the panel, States and stakeholders reflected on the importance of the International Day and how it fosters the development and implementation of coordinated responses to transnational organized crime in all its manifestations. Speakers shared national experiences and practices in preventing and countering transnational organized crime, including in responding to the evolving nature of transnational organized crime in the various geographical and socioeconomic contexts.
“As we mark this day, we acknowledge the progress we have made, but most importantly, the challenges that remain. Let us start froma very simple fact. Organized crime has expanded beyond its traditional activities to extend into other related instrumental areas,” said Ambassador Debora Lepre, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations in Vienna, speaking at the event. “If organized crime steals, corrupts and kills, how can we respond effectively to the adaptive capacity of mafias and address the emerging trends? It is clear that our response must be global, coordinated, and adaptable to the changing faces of organized crime.”
The event built on the Ministerial Event organized on 14 October 2024 on the margins of the 12th session of the Conference of the Parties to UNTOC, which launched a one-month campaign for the commemoration of the International Day.
Speakers further reflected on the outcomes of the 12th session of the Conference of Parties to UNTOC, which concluded its work on 18 October 2024, as well as on the future of the implementation of the Convention and the Protocols thereto, including in light of the operation of the Mechanism for the Review of the Implementation of the Conventions and the Protocols thereto.
Ambassador Maurice Makoloo, Chair of the African Group and Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations in Vienna, spoke extensively about the experience of Kenya, as well as the importance of concerted effort among States.
“If crime goes beyond borders, so must the law. And if it goes beyond borders of geography, borders of culture, borders of technology, borders of human experience, then too must the response,” he said. “We really want to reiterate that indeed organized crime steals hope, steals life, shatters dreams. And so, we call for robust and sustained collective efforts that must be anchored in both tangible and intangible technologies, soft and hard approaches, of course on a whole-of-society type of engagement.”
“An integral link connects the International Day, the UNTOC and the Protocols thereto and the Conference of the Parties to the Convention: COP12 and the International Day 2024 followed the same communication thread and aims, namely to raise awareness about the need to mobilize global efforts against organized crime,” said Ambassador Peter Burian, President of the Conference of the Parties to UNTOC at its 12th session and Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations in Vienna. “The International Day is a new powerful tool to raise awareness about the need to mobilize global efforts against organized crime and it is hoped that different countries and stakeholders will use it for this purpose.”
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Burian also discussed new pledges and resolutions of the Parties to the UNTOC and outlined his personal commitment to enhancing cooperation and increasing participation – especially among civil society. The event also gave audience members the opportunity to intervene to discuss transnational organized crime and the implementation of the Convention in greater detail.
This year marked the first celebration of the annual International Day Against Transnational Organized Crime. The commemoration of this day signifies a clear commitment by States to fighting organized crime in a concerted, cooperative way. This day highlights the urgent need for global solidarity to counter the rising threat of organized crime, which undermines peace, security, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The devastating impact of organized crime threatens lives, destabilizes communities, and hinders economic and social development.
Transnational organized crime continues to pose some of the most pressing global challenges in the 21st century. Criminal networks worldwide are exploiting globalization, technological advances, and the interconnectedness of financial systems to operate across borders with increasing sophistication. Criminal activities destabilize governments, undermine the rule of law, and pose serious threats to global peace, security, and development.
In this context, the UN General Assembly resolution 78/267 envisions this day as commemorating all victims of organized crime, including those who have lost their lives fighting such crime, in particular law enforcement and judicial personnel. It also seeks to pay special tribute to all those persons, such as the Italian Judge Giovanni Falcone, whose work and sacrifice paved the way for the adoption of the UNTOC. In this regard, the General Assembly invites all Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and other global and regional organizations, as well as other relevant stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, academia, and the media, to commemorate the International Day in an appropriate manner, including through educational and public awareness-raising activities, and to share best practices in this regard.
