Director-General/Executive Director
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we bring this productive session to a close, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you.
It has been a successful week, and I am proud to say that it has also been a record-breaking week.
This year, we welcomed over 1,400 participants, the highest in-person presence for any UNTOC COP to date.
We had more than 770 government representatives from 131 States Parties, and held 59 side-events on a broad range of organized crime issues, once again proving the convening power of this COP.
We also had over 500 representatives from 212 civil society organizations, another record, and I was delighted to engage in an open and constructive dialogue with many of them this week.
We have built new bridges and strengthened existing ones.
The scale of participation speaks to the enduring relevance of this forum, which provides an important space for dialogue and collaboration in the face of transnational organized crime challenges.
Over the past week, we reflected on the growing complexity of some of those challenges, from tackling human trafficking and disrupting illicit financial flows, to combating terrorism, protecting children from organized crime, and ending impunity for crimes that affect the environment.
And yesterday, I joined the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan to link the discussions of COP12 to the upcoming Climate Conference – COP29 – in Baku, which I will be attending next month, to keep this week’s dialogue going.
We also reflected on the importance of empowering women in the justice sector, and I had the privilege of speaking with female justice officials from the Philippines on this subject.
Their inspiring stories spoke to the importance of including diverse voices in our efforts to make justice systems more representative, inclusive, and effective.
And we reflected on what this conference means for young people.
We heard a strong statement from 2 young delegates representing 44 youth from 38 countries, reminding us that youth must be equal partners in our efforts to create a safer, more just future.
Their voices carry the energy and hope that we need to address the challenges ahead.
Excellencies,
As we look to the future, this session has set the stage for a forward-looking agenda.
The 4 resolutions you have adopted at this session will greatly contribute to our collective work in the years ahead, including two substantive resolutions on firearms and crimes that affect the environment.
These resolutions are proof that the implementation of the UNTOC can be adapted according to the evolving criminal landscape.
And they are a testament to your commitment to work together on organized crime issues.
We also launched our month-long campaign for the first-ever International Day against Transnational Organized Crime, which will be marked on 15 November, with a moving photo exhibition celebrating the memory of Judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, who were instrumental in the fight against organized crime in Italy.
The campaign will raise awareness and mobilize global action over the coming weeks, and I encourage governments, civil society, and the private sector to join us on this journey.
Because we need to stand together if we are to meet emerging challenges.
Criminal networks are rapidly evolving, looking to exploit any and every opportunity to thrive and profit.
The rise of artificial intelligence, the proliferation of sophisticated scam operations, and the use of cutting-edge technology by criminals poses new threats and risks and is making crime more accessible.
Earlier this week, I had the chance to visit an exhibition demonstrating the production of 3D-printed weapons.
It was alarming to see how easy and cheap it is to produce such lethal weapons – the machine and the gun cost just over 300 euros to produce.
And this is just one example of how technology can be exploited by criminal groups.
Yet, we must remember that technology can also be a force for good.
It can empower law enforcement agencies, enhance cross-border cooperation, and serve as a tool for prevention and protection.
We must embrace innovation to stay ahead of these evolving threats and use technology as a force for justice and security.
As the world evolves, we must be there to meet emerging challenges head-on, and you can continue to count on UNODC’s full support.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Before closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire staff of the Secretariat, including our Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch, and a special thank you to the head of the Branch, Loide Aryee.
This will be her last COP after more than 10 years of leading the process, so I would like to thank you Loide for all your years of service within UNODC, for your commitment, and for your hard work.
I would like to thank the Director of the Division for Treaty Affairs, Mr. John Brandolino for his overall leadership during the COP.
I would also like to recognize all those who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes – our dedicated security personnel, our skilled IT colleagues, and our remarkable interpreters and translators, and Conference Management Service, who helped make this session a success. Please join me in giving them all a big round of applause.
Lastly, I would like to commend you, Ambassador Burian, for leading this session of the COP with determination. And I would like to thank Mr. Tahar Mohdeb of Algeria for skilfully guiding the Committee of the Whole.
As we leave here today, let us embrace the spirit of dialogue and cooperation that we witnessed over the past week, as we strive for a more just, safe, and peaceful world for all.
Thank you, and I wish you all a safe journey home.
