Vienna, 13 June 2024 – Marking a step forward in the review process of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto, the first Informal Meeting of UNTOC Review Mechanism Officials, organized by the Secretariat, took place in Vienna on 6 June 2024 in the margins of the 15th meeting of the UNTOC COP Working Group on International Cooperation.
On that occasion, around 20 officials, including Focal Points and Governmental Experts engaged in the UNTOC Review Mechanism, exchanged views and suggestions to mutually facilitate their participation in the process. The informal setup of the event created an open and conducive atmosphere for participants to freely share their ideas and discuss solutions for the challenges encountered. This setup proved to be instrumental in facilitating a more engaged and productive dialogue among the officials, fostering a sense of community and cooperation.
The event also allowed for closer interactions with the Mechanism’s Secretariat, strengthening the familiarity of the national officials with the Secretariat officers supporting the country reviews.
Giovanni Gallo, Chief of UNODC’s Conference Support Section on Organized Crime, delivered opening remarks that underscored the significance of the meeting. He expressed the Secretariat’s appreciation for the enthusiastic participation of the officials, noting the importance of their presence in Vienna for the first time. Gallo highlighted the Secretariat’s dedication to supporting the Review Mechanism and emphasized the value of such informal gatherings in advancing the process.
Virginia Prugh, one of the Governmental Experts nominated by the USA noted: “These informal discussions are crucial as they allow us to address challenges and explore solutions in a more dynamic and interactive environment, which formal settings often do not permit.”
The successful conduct of this informal meeting marks a promising beginning for future engagements. The insights and connections developed during the session are expected to enhance the effectiveness of the UNTOC Review Mechanism. As participants departed, there was a palpable sense of optimism and renewed commitment to tackling the challenges of transnational organized crime through enhanced international cooperation.
In that respect, Edmondo De Gregorio, the Focal Point of Italy, shared his impressions of the work of the Secretariat and thanked the officers for their productive work: “I appreciate the availability and professionalism of the staff who were able to illustrate with experience and ductility the tools made available for the Review Mechanism.”
This informal meeting in Vienna stands as a testament to the power of open dialogue and collaborative efforts against organized crime. It showcased the potential of informal settings to inspire creativity, build stronger networks, and drive collective action towards shared goals.
The UNTOC Review Mechanism is a peer review process supporting States parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocols thereto in the effective implementation of these instruments and helping them identify and substantiate specific needs for technical assistance and promoting international cooperation.
