MEDIA ADVISORY - PRESS CONFERENCE

Threat of transnational organized crime to be the focus of United Nations Member States at Vienna Conference

Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) meets in Vienna 15-19 October 2012

VIENNA, 8 October (UN Information Service) - The impact of transnational organized crime on development, the rule of law and security are under the spotlight at the meeting of the Conference of the Parties in Vienna from 15-19 October. States parties to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) will also consider new monitoring measures to improve the Convention's effectiveness.

The President of Slovenia, Danilo Türk, Ministers from Austria, Bolivia, Italy and Mexico and other high level speakers along with around 800 hundred participants from governments, regional and inter-governmental organizations, civil society and the media are expected to attend the sixth session of the Conference of the Parties.

The media are invited to a press conference with the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Yury Fedotov, the Minister of Interior of Mexico, Alejandro Poiré and others to be confirmed on the opening day, Monday 15 October at 12.15p.m. in Room M2 of the M-building.

The Convention, together with its Protocols on human trafficking, migrant smuggling and firearms, is the legal basis for international cooperation against transnational organized crime. States parties are committed under this unique international tool to taking a series of measures to combat the problem.

On the agenda will be a range of issues from various forms of organized crime, including new forms such as cybercrime, maritime piracy and trafficking in organs to international cooperation.

The sixth session of the Conference of the parties will consider adopting a review mechanism for the UNTOC similar to the one in place for the Corruption Convention. Countries which have ratified the UNTOC would be monitored on a five year cycle to see how they are fulfilling their obligations under the Convention. The country reports will help to identify the gaps in national laws and practices as well as highlighting the successes and challenges faced by countries in combatting transnational organized crime.

Media events

The opening session at 10 a.m. on Monday 15 October with speakers including the Executive Director of UNODC, Mr. Fedotov, the President of Slovenia, Danilo Türk, Ministers from Bolivia and Mexico.
A press conference at 12.15 p.m. on Monday 15 October with UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov and the Minister of Interior of Mexico, Alejandro Poiré and others to be confirmed in Room M2 (M-building).

Side events

There are more than 20 side events on a wide range of topics during the conference including human trafficking, trafficking of migrant workers, small arms survey and international cooperation in criminal matters.

Mexico's strategy for combatting organized crime and the prevention and eradication of human trafficking with Minister of Interior from Mexico, Alejandro Poiré, Monday 2pm, Room M3.
Presentation of the Digest of Organized Crime Cases with UNODC Executive Director, Mr. Fedotov, Minister of the Interior of Italy, Anna Maria Cancellieri and a representative from Colombia, Tuesday 16 October 1pm, Boardroom B.
Learning from Victims of Crime for a Better Criminal Justice Response with an investigative journalist and human rights campaigner, Ute Bock (tbc), Thursday 18 October 2pm, Room M3.
People on the move - the complexity of forced migration in today's world, an event to launch the International Federation of the Red Cross' (IFRC) 'World Disaster Report' in Vienna, Friday 19 October 9am, Room M7.

A full programme for the conference including the full list of side events is available on the conference website: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/treaties/CTOC/CTOC-COP-session6.html

A new global awareness-raising campaign emphasizing the size and cost of transnational organized crime was launched by UNODC earlier this year. To view the video go to: http://www.unodc.org/toc/en/videos.html

For accreditation

Accreditation is required to attend the conference or press briefing. Media representatives can apply for accreditation to the Conference in advance by writing to press[at]unvienna.org. Journalists already accredited to the Vienna International Centre do not need re-accreditation.

Access to the M building is via Checkpoint 1 of the Vienna International Centre. Journalists are advised to allow at least half an hour for entry to the VIC.

For further information contact:

David Dadge
Spokesperson, UNODC
Telephone: (+43 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at]unvienna.org

Anne Thomas,
Information Officer, UNIS Vienna
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-5588
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5588