Vienna (Austria), 29 May 2024. What is the status of the UNTOC Review Mechanism and how to harness its full potential? On 15 May, at CCPCJ side event “Navigating the UNTOC Review Mechanism: A Journey in Four Steps”, Focal Points and Governmental Experts from across the world shared their experiences, insights and lessons learned from the review process. More than 60 participants joined the online event organized by the UNTOC Review Mechanism Secretariat in cooperation with the Permanent Missions of Iraq and Italy to the United Nations in Vienna to discuss the progress of the Mechanism in these first years of its functioning.
The global commitment of States parties to tackling transnational organized crime through stronger international cooperation and effective implementation of the relevant legal frameworks was highlighted by Ambassador Baker Fattah Hussen of Iraq, President of the 11th Session of the Conference of the Parties to UNTOC who opened the event. In his intervention, he further emphasized the critical role of the Mechanism in strengthening the implementation of the Convention and its Protocols.
Loide Aryee, Secretary of the Mechanism, provided an in-depth analysis of its current state, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to enhance its effectiveness. These measures include comprehensive training programs, improved communication channels, and active engagement of non-governmental stakeholders.
Claries Kariuki, Kenya's Focal Point, discussed national efforts to integrate civil society perspectives into the review process, while Georgina Howe, Swiss Governmental Expert, detailed Switzerland’s organized approach, explaining how responsibilities are shared among ministries and underlining the importance of continuous coordination. Furthermore, Pham Van Cong, Viet Nam’s Focal Point, shared his country’s experience, focusing on inter-agency coordination and proposing practical solutions to challenges encountered.
In her concluding remarks, Ambassador Debora Lepre of Italy emphasized the need for States to redouble their commitment to timely engage in the review process. She invoked the legacy of anti-mafia Judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino as a call to action, urging continued dedication to fostering effective implementation of the international legal framework against crime.
