Director General/Executive Director
16 November
Minister of Justice Lara
Minister of Tourism Duarte,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My warm thanks to the El Salvadoran government organizing this important high-level regional forum on tourism and security.
Transnational organized crime generates enormous profits from trafficking in counterfeit goods, illicit drugs, cultural property and wildlife and forest products, among many others.
With more than 1 billion tourists moving across international borders every year, there are real opportunities to raise awareness among tourists about these crimes, and at the same time, reduce the demand for these illicit goods.
And the threat does not end there. Funds from these crimes are often invested into other illicit activities, as well as terrorism and violent extremism.
Tourism
is therefore an enormous force for good in the world; it powers economic growth, job creation and development. But, let us also admit, that tourism may be used by criminals to exploit people through trafficking, especially young and vulnerable children.
Sex tourism is a potential threat in Central America as organized crime groups take cruel advantage of people living in poverty.
To address these problems in a holistic manner, I am glad that one of this conference's objectives is to highlight the relationship between the sustainable development goals and tourism.
In particular, I would stress the importance of Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda, which focuses on access to justice, as well as effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.
If we are to make tourism sustainable, if we are to build the resilience of communities to trafficking, we must promote a strong rule of law and effective criminal justice systems.
This meeting also takes place against the background of the work undertaken by the Central American Committee for Integrated Tourism.
There have been a series of events on this issue. In 2011, Honduras hosted the First Workshop on "Sustainable Tourism in Central America."
During the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, and on behalf of the Central American Integration System--SICA, Honduras coordinated a new resolution entitled "Sustainable Tourism and Sustainable Development in Central America."
SICA is essential to the security of central America. UNODC is part of this process and is making a series of contributions through various technical assistance projects.
Based on these events, tourism and security have emerged as crucial issues within Central America.
For this reason, Central American countries have been working hard to ensure that tourism is viewed as a positive instrument that can assist in the eradication of poverty, the protection of the environment and the improvement of the quality of life, particularly in developing countries.
Given the vital links between tourism and development, I am pleased to see that the World Tourism Organization is represented at today's conference.
In 2014, UNODC, WTO and UNESCO launched a global campaign to raise awareness about the most common illicit goods and services that tourists might be exposed to while travelling.
Today's forum continues the work of building momentum for efficient cooperation among countries in the region, but also among regional institutions, the international community and across the UN system.
Let me say that joining forces is not only the logical approach, it is essential for tackling this problem.
UNODC is ready to support this process and to assist Member States in the development of new initiatives and activities in the field of tourism and security. This includes sharing practices on ways to respond to these challenges.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The issue of tourism and security is a profoundly important one. Tourism provides much needed revenue to countries during uncertain times.
Our overall goal must be to protect tourists, to prevent organized crime and to promote sustainable development so that communities can prosper from this activity.
Meetings such as today's can help ensure that we achieve these goals, and in doing so, continue the joint work of achieving sustainable development for everyone within the framework of peace and security.
Thank you.