Working Groups established by the Conference of the Parties

Open-ended intergovernmental meeting of experts on possible mechanisms to review implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto (Vienna, Austria, 30 September 2009)

At its fourth session, held in Vienna from 8 to 17 October 2008, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime adopted decision 4/1. In that decision, the Conference requested UNODC to convene at least one open-ended intergovernmental meeting of experts in Vienna by September 2009 and to present a report to the Conference, at its fifth session, on mechanisms, as appropriate, for reviewing the implementation of the Convention and its Protocols.

In the same decision, the Conference requested Member States to submit to the Secretariat their comments and views for the purpose of the deliberations of the above-mentioned meeting, and also requested the Secretariat to organize the views and comments received so as to facilitate such deliberations.

An Open-ended Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts on Possible Mechanisms to Review Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto, was held in Vienna, Austria, on 30 September 2009 (instead of 28-30 September).

The change of dates of the meeting was decided on 16 September 2009 by the extended Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Working Group on International Cooperation

At its second session, held in Vienna from 10 to 21 October 2005, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime adopted decision 2/2 entitled "Implementation of the international cooperation provisions of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime". In that decision, the Conference decided to establish at its third session an open-ended working group, to hold substantive discussions on practical issues pertaining to extradition, mutual legal assistance and international cooperation for the purpose of confiscation.

The open-ended working group of government experts on extradition, mutual legal assistance and international cooperation for the purpose of confiscation, established pursuant to decision 2/2 of the Conference of the Parties, convened its first meeting during the third session of the Conference of the Parties, which was held in Vienna from 9 to 18 October 2006.  The outcome of the related discussions of the working group is reflected in decision 3/2 entitled "Implementation of the provisions on international cooperation in the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime".

In its decision 3/2, the Conference of the Parties decided that an open-ended working group on international cooperation will be a constant element of the Conference of the Parties.

Working Group on Technical Assistance

At its second session, held in Vienna from 10 to 21 October 2005, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime adopted decision 2/6 entitled "Technical assistance activities". In that decision, the Conference decided to establish an open-ended interim working group, chaired by a member of the bureau, in accordance with article 32, paragraph 3 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and rule 2, paragraph 2, of the rules of procedure of the Conference of the Parties, to advise and assist it in the implementation of its mandate on technical assistance. Also in the same decision, the Conference decided that the working group should meet during the third session of the Conference of the Parties and, within existing resources, should hold at least one intersessional meeting before the fourth session of the Conference of the Parties.

At its third session, held in Vienna from 9 to 18 October 2006, and in accordance with decision 2/6 of the Conference of the Parties, the open-ended interim working group of government experts on technical assistance convened its first meeting. The recommendations of the working group was adopted by the Conference of the Parties, and is contained in its decision 3/4 entitled "Recommendations of the open-ended interim working group of government experts on technical assistance".

Pursuant to decisions 2/6 and 3/4 of the Conference of the Parties, an intersessional meeting of the working group will be held before the fourth session of the Conference of the Parties.

A Second Meeting of the Working Group on Technical Assistance, was held in Vienna, Austria, from 3 to 5 October 2007.

At its fourth session, held in Vienna from 8 to 17 October 2008, and in accordance with decision 2/6 and 3/4 of the Conference of the Parties, an intersessional meeting of the working group was held. The recommendations of the working group was adopted by the Conference of the Parties, and is contained in its decision 4/3 entitled "Implementations of the Provisions on Technical Assistance of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime".

In that decision, it was decided that the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime would request the Secretariat to organize an intersessional meeting of the Open-ended Interim Working Group of Government Experts on Technical Assistance before the end of 2009.

An Open-ended Working Group on of Government Experts on Technical Assistance, was held in Vienna, Austria, from 1 to 2 October 2009.

Working Group on Trafficking in Persons

At its fourth session, held in Vienna from 8 to 17 October 2008, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime adopted decision 4/4. In that decision, the Conference decided to establish an open-ended interim working group to advise and assist the Conference in the implementation of its mandate with regard to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. It also decided that the working group should perform the following functions:

1. Facilitate implementation of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol through the exchange of experience and practices between experts and practicioners in this area, including by contributing to the identification of weaknesses, gaps and challenges;

2. Make recommendations to the Conference on how States parties can better implement the provisions of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol;

3. Assist the Conference in providing guidance to its secretariat on its activities relating to the implementation of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol;

4. Make recommendations to the Conference on how it can better coordinate with the various international bodies combating trafficking in persons with respect to implementing, supporting and promoting the Trafficking in Persons Protocol.

The Conference further decided that the working group should meet during the fifth session of the Conference and should hold at least one intersessional meeting before that session.

The first meeting of the Working Group on Trafficking in Persons, was held in Vienna, Austria, from 14 to 15 April 2009.

A second meeting of the Open-ended Interim Working Group on Trafficking in Persons, will be held in Vienna, Austria, from 27 to 29 January 2010.