Over 90 participants, representing more than 50 NGOs and NGO umbrella organisations around the world participated in the 7th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (CTOC/COP7), which took place on 6-10 October 2014.
The Vienna Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the UNODC Civil Society Team co-hosted two briefings on CTOC/COP7 for NGOs. These meetings served as opportunities for NGO representatives to better understand the work of CTOC/COP and to expand their networks.
Also, the session was an occasion for civil society to organise side events and share their expertise and best practices on issues related to organised crime; small arms; smuggling of migrants; trafficking in persons, including services for victims and trafficking of men for sexual purposes; female genital mutilation; international cooperation in providing legal aid and corruption. In total, NGOs organised 16 side events.
In addition, the UNODC Civil Society Team organised the side event Addressing the Links between Corruption and Organised Crime featuring four NGO speakers who presented their research on the nexus between corruption and organised crime (mafia-type organisations), small arms, trafficking in persons and environmental crime.
Finally, NGOs met with Aldo Lale-Demoz, Deputy-Director, UNODC and Director, Division of Operations and Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs. The discussion focused on a number of substantive issues, including: UNODC mandates and indicators for the post-2015 development agenda, smuggling of migrants, and the abolition of the death penalty. The two Directors expressed appreciation for the important role played by NGOs on the ground in implementing the mandates of UNODC.