Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders Vienna, 10-17 April 2000 by Mr. Pino Arlacchi Under Secretary-General Executive Director 17 April 2000
Mr. President, Distinguished Delegates, One week ago we began this Congress with statements of concern at the growing threat of crime on a global basis. The challenge facing the Congress was to focus attention on this rapidly changing situation. Success against crime in today's world requires a change of perspective. We can no longer depend only on what has always worked in the past. Even what works now will not be enough. We must be constantly looking to the future to find what we will need. The pace of change is so rapid that we must put ourselves into an anticipatory mode. Just as criminal groups have harnessed technology for their own use, so must we. Just as criminals have globalized their action, so must we. The Congress has just approved its final declaration. First of all, I congratulate you on this achievement. The Declaration will serve as a guiding light for years to come. In looking through the text, I am struck by the number of times language appears reflecting the intention to work together. To cite only a few examples: "We recognize the necessity of closer coordination and cooperation"; "We undertake to strengthen international cooperation"; "We commit ourselves to the development of more effective ways of collaborating with one another". The list is much longer. The desire to act globally is absolutely clear. As we look at arms trafficking, corruption, money laundering and trafficking in human beings, we soon realize that no state acting alone can hope to find solutions. You included as part of your forward-looking declaration a strong expression of support for the work of the Centre for International Crime Prevention. Your encouragement to us to concentrate on the global programmes we have launched will serve as an inspiration to the Centre. We also hope that your support will translate into the needed resources to succeed in these programmes. Needless to say, the support generated by the Congress for the Convention on Transnational Organized Crime will give added momentum to the final drafting, signature and ratification of this landmark Convention. Your support for an international instrument against corruption was also very timely. All these ideas, and the many more that emerged over the past week, will now be conveyed by you to your own Governments when you return home. They will also be conveyed formally tomorrow to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Mr. President, it has been a productive week, and we have worked long hours. I think this results from a deeply rooted commitment to the prevention of crime and to guaranteeing that more and more people can live in peace under the Rule of Law. The Congress offered an important opportunity to reaffirm this conviction. It would be impossible to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the Congress. I will mention only a few of those who led you and the high standards for your work -- the Chairmen of Committees One and Two, the Chairman of the Working Group on the Declaration, the Chairman of the General Committee and the Vice-President of Colombia, who served as Chairman of the High-Level Segment. I would like to express special appreciation for your efforts, Mr. President. The success of the Congress would not have been possible without your leadership. Mr. Maduna, you brought to us the experience, endurance and farsightedness acquired in the struggle for freedom in your country, along with the skill you so ably demonstrate in serving as Minister of Justice. The Congress has greatly benefitted from your wisdom, and your leadership has been an inspiration to us all. Let us close with a look to the future. I did not hear many voices since last Monday talking about defeat in our efforts against crime. This confirms my own conviction that we are on the right track and that by joining together we will win. For those of you returning home, I wish you a safe journey. For those remaining for the Commission session, I will see you tomorrow. Thank you. |