For information only - not an official document
UNIS/CP/855
25 September 2015
VIENNA, 25 September (UN Information Service) - Today, the world reached agreement on 17 Sustainable Development Goals that, when combined, contain the energy to transform billions of lives.
Thanks to the United Nations, Member States, and civil society, we now have a unique opportunity to tackle poverty, health and development. But, barriers exist to the achievement of these targets, including drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism.
Such threats erode social and economic development, and human rights, and flourish where the rule of law is weak and criminal justice ineffective.
I welcome the fact that the Sustainable Development Goals recognize these destructive challenges and seek to correct their influence. The goals tackle wildlife crime, human trafficking, drug abuse, HIV, violence against women, and call for the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, as well as access to justice and accountable institutions.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in its work, addresses issues such as combating illicit financial flows, human trafficking, corruption and bribery, and substance abuse that impact on development.
I pledge, as Executive Director of UNODC, that we will work on behalf of the Sustainable Development Goals to tackle these problems, as well as promote health, justice and human rights. UNODC, in doing so, will continue to build and strengthen partnerships, both within and outside the UN system, to create just and fair societies.
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For further information contact:
David
Dadge
Spokesperson, UNODC
Phone: (+43 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at]unvienna.org
