Vienna, 5 July 2024 – Crimes that affect the environment, organized fraud and challenges posed by new technological developments are global concerns that stand high on the international agenda. Responses to these issues were discussed at the 2024 Joint Constructive Dialogue on Technical Assistance and International Cooperation which took place in Vienna on 7 June. During a full-day discussion, 112 non-governmental stakeholders, 43 States Parties, a Signatory State and an international organization explored ways to strengthen States’ responses to these challenges and step up global efforts in the broader fight against the various forms of organized crime.
On crimes that affect the environment, Alice Pasqualato, from the Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime, emphasized the need for States to strengthen the international legal framework. “A consequence of the lack of an international legal framework is that there are varying levels of criminalization,” she emphasized. “Certain crimes that affect the environment are criminalized in some jurisdictions, but not in others; also different jurisdictions use different terminologies and apply inconsistent penalties,” she added.
Another widespread threat discussed at the Dialogue was organized fraud, a manifestation of organized crime which thrives due to legislative gaps and weak international cooperation. According to Jennifer Mendez Carvajal, from the American Society of International Law, there is a need to raise awareness about the threats posed by organized fraud. “Further awareness is important to help prevent and detect this crime, mitigate its impact and protect its victims from the human rights and economic impact of fraud,” she underlined.
Regarding the role and impact of technology on international cooperation, Aldana Rohr, Co-Chair of the Joint Constructive Dialogue, emphasized the valuable contribution of civil society in achieving the goals of the Convention, in particular its provisions on international cooperation. “It is important that all members of civil society cooperate in the promotion of this very important international instrument, UNTOC, and promote its use as a legal basis for requests for mutual legal assistance and extraditions,” she emphasized.
The Constructive Dialogue represents a unique opportunity for civil society to contribute with inputs and suggestions to enhancing the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and inform States’ responses to transnational organized crime. “It’s in moments like these, where governments and non-state actors unite, that we make real progress against transnational organized crime,” highlighted Giovanni Gallo, Chief of UNODC’s Conference Support Section, Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch.
Carlos Alberto Sánchez Del Águila, Co-Chair of the Joint Constructive Dialogue, also underscored the value of the discussions that such a forum brought to light. “The high level of professionalism, as well as the expertise that civil society brings to the table is a very important and significant tool that Member States can use," he emphasized.
The summary of the discussions prepared by the Co-Chairs as well as the written contributions from participants will be published online on the webpage of the 2024 Joint Constructive Dialogue on Technical Assistance and on International Cooperation as they become available.
