Director-General/Executive Director
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to this preparatory meeting for the 15th UN Crime Congress.
As we prepare to pass the torch from Japan to the United Arab Emirates, we can use the success of Kyoto as a foundation for the upcoming Crime Congress.
The discussions and outcomes that Member States will have in Abu Dhabi will set the tone for crime prevention and criminal justice efforts in the critical four years leading up to the review of the 2030 Agenda and beyond.
The 32nd Session of the CCPCJ provided a solid foundation for our preparations and reinforced the contribution of SDG 16 to advancing the vision of Agenda 2030.
And earlier this year, at the SDG Summit, Member States emphasized the need to build peaceful societies where justice is accessible to all, human rights are upheld, and the rule of law prevails.
We must now translate these commitments into urgent action.
Today’s event presents an opportunity to link the preparations of the Congress to the upcoming Summit of the Future in 2024, and to pave the way for collective action to protect both people and the planet.
This is vital not only for the fulfilment of SDG 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions, but for all the SDGs, at a time when indicators are blinking red across the board.
Data collected by UNODC, UNDP and OHCHR paints a distressing picture of escalating violence, insecurity, and injustice.
In 2021, the world witnessed the highest recorded number of intentional homicides in the past 20 years, resulting in nearly half a million lives lost.
Over 110 million people are currently displaced worldwide due to conflict, poverty, and climate-related disasters.
And one in three women globally has suffered sexual or other forms of violence.
At the same time, weak and inaccessible justice systems are impeding progress on both public safety and human rights.
Around 30 per cent of the world’s prison population remains in pre-trial detention, while prisons struggle with overcrowding.
Justice has fallen too far out of reach for too many, especially among the vulnerable and marginalized sections of society.
Establishing strong rule of law and inclusive justice systems is imperative for reaching the crime reduction targets outlined under SDG 16.
Every individual must have unimpeded access to justice, and such justice must be people-centered, human-rights based, and gender-responsive.
Embracing digitalization can serve as a critical enabler for advancing SDG 16 and strengthening access to justice and the rule of law globally.
By leveraging new technology, we can streamline data management, enhance transparency, and reinforce accountability within the justice system, all while bridging the digital divide for those in need of legal assistance.
But we must also acknowledge the potential risks associated with increased digital connectivity, such as cybercrime, the use of cryptocurrencies for illicit transactions, and threats to privacy and human rights.
With digital tools advancing at breakneck speed, we must harness this power for good by balancing new technologies with robust regulatory guardrails and safeguards to ensure their responsible and ethical use.
Last year, UNODC initiated a pioneering research project to assess the benefits and potential risks linked to the integration of technology in criminal justice processes.
We also launched a new Global Programme on People-centred Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Reform, with our support reaching over 50 countries in improving equal access to justice, addressing the justice needs of women and children, and preventing crime and violence.
Meanwhile, Member States are in the process of negotiating a new Convention to counter the use of ICTs for criminal purposes, to respond to the evolving criminal landscape in the digital sphere.
If adopted, UNODC stands ready to support its implementation, and the 15th Crime Congress will provide a valuable platform to assess how to join our efforts in taking the Convention forward.
I also encourage Member States to further develop, with the support of UNODC, evidence-based strategies, programmes, and action plans in line with the Kyoto Declaration and the SDGs, and to present the results of these initiatives at the 15th Congress.
To truly make the Congress a success, we need to include all voices, including those of civil society, academia, and other intergovernmental organizations, who each bring unique views and expertise to the table.
It is also essential to ensure the meaningful engagement of youth in the preparatory process and in the Congress itself, and UNODC is currently undertaking an effort – led by our young staff members – to explore innovative ways to amplify the voices of young people in these discussions.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We cannot accelerate progress on Agenda 2030 without accelerating progress on crime prevention and criminal justice.
The 15th Crime Congress will serve as a platform to reaffirm our collective commitment to justice, peace, and sustainable development, and to find solutions to persistent and emerging challenges.
Together, let’s ensure that justice is not just an ideal but a tangible reality accessible to all.
Thank you.