Director General/Executive Director
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
My congratulations.
I am very pleased that the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime concludes with an agreed resolution on the establishment of the mechanism for the review of implementation.
This fifteenth anniversary of the Palermo Convention's entry into force is a fitting occasion to renew commitment to international criminal justice cooperation under this landmark instrument.
As I said at the start of the week, the Convention has more than stood the test of time.
The Palermo Convention and its Protocols on human trafficking, migrant smuggling and firearms remain the primary global tools uniting action against organized crime, to bring perpetrators to justice and support victims.
The review mechanism can further reinforce criminal justice responses and cooperation through the Convention, as well as help to identify assistance needs and channel development support.
It has been a challenging road to get to this result but I believe our work will be stronger and more effective because of it.
I also welcome the resolutions on effective implementation of the firearms protocol and on international cooperation.
UNODC has been entrusted with supporting you in fulfilling these commitments.
The review process tasks UNODC with considerable responsibilities, which we are determined to execute to our usual high standards.
In turn, I hope we can rely on Member States for your support.
And it goes without saying that we will continue our comprehensive efforts to support you in implementing the Convention and the Protocols, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and counter the threats to international peace and security posed by organized crime.
I once again congratulate President Florensa Palau and the Bureau on this successful conclusion to the week.
I would also like to commend and thank Ambassador Accili Sabbatini for her outstanding work over many months to lead negotiations on the new review mechanism.
I thank you all for your hard work and dedication.
Finally, I thank my colleagues from the Secretariat, the interpreters and all conference service staff, protocol and security colleagues who have played a role in making this week a success.
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
I wish you a good start to the weekend and a safe journey home. Thank you.