Closing remarks
High-level Conference for the United Nations Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols Thereto
Address by
Pino Arlacchi
United Nations Under-Secretary-General
ODCCP Executive Director
Palermo
15 December 2000
Your excellencies,
Honored Guests,
No crime prevention conference has ever brought together so many delegations from around the world ..... we were 150 countries.... in most cases represented by Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers.
Never before has an international convention attracted so many signatures, barely 4 weeks following its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly. A record number of States - in fact 124 States-- already signed the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the protocols were signed by nearly 80 States.
The fact that nearly 60 percent of States have already signed the protocols --despite the very short period of time that has lapsed between the finalization of the protocols and this Conference --- is further evidence that we are witnessing international political will at its highest expression.
Perhaps most importantly, the Delegations that have spoken here during the past few days should leave nobody in any doubt about this: there is strong and clear international commitment to achieving early ratification of the Convention. I believe that it is precisely the same determination that made possible the development of this convention and its protocols in less than 2 years. This determination will prevail when we move on to ratification.
Let us not lose the momentum that we have achieved so far. I should like to invite you to join forces in order to ensure that this Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols enter into force within the coming 12 months. We must maintain a reasonable and yet determined sense of urgency, in order to ensure the security and well-being of our societies. By doing so, we also honor all those who have devoted their lives to uphold the rule of law. The United Nations, working jointly with member States, now stands ready to support those countries that need help to translate into legislation and action the new instruments and measures we have adopted here in Palermo to fight transnational organized crime.In this regard, it was extremely encouraging to learn of the decision of the Government of Italy to devote annually the monetary equivalent of 25 percent of confiscated assets through the United Nations, in order to help developing countries to implement the convention and its protocols. Several other countries have also expressed their intention to support developing countries with the early ratification and effective implementation of our new instruments. I applaud these commitments, as well as the leadership shown by these governments to promote international cooperation.
With the adoption of this Convention --- preceded by the 3 international drug control treaties and the commitments made by world leaders at the UN Special Session on Drugs in 1998--- we are now well ahead in the construction of an international framework of legal instruments aimed specifically at confronting the most serious threats to human security.
Looking ahead, attention should now focus on finalizing the protocol on firearms, as well as on launching the process to develop an international instrument to fight corruption. As in the past, our common efforts shall continue to be grounded in strong political will, and our collective commitment to universality, full participation of States, and shared responsibility.
In this respect, I am confident that the close and pragmatic collaboration now emerging among governments and civil society to find solutions to today's major human security threats will greatly facilitate our task in the years ahead. Most of us witnessed first-hand the excellent discussions that took place at various side-events held in various parts of Sicily during the past week.
Before ending my remarks, I should like you to join me in paying a special tribute to the
Above all, I should like to express my most sincere gratitude and congratulations to the people of Palermo, for their wonderful hospitality and beautiful city.
On your behalf, please allow me also to offer my heartfelt thanks to the Italian National Organizing Committee, to the excellent local staff, and to my own colleagues at the United Nations, for their great motivation, dedication and tireless efforts.
Arrivederci !