For information only - not an official document
UNIS/CP/912
23 May 2016
Heads of UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL sign cooperation arrangement to share information, build on expertise and strengthen actions to counter Transnational Organized Crime and terrorism.
VIENNA, 23 May (UN Information Service) - At a side event today, held on the margins of the 25th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (the Crime Commission), the Executive Director of UNODC, Yury Fedotov, and the Secretary General of INTERPOL, Juergen Stock, signed a cooperation arrangement focusing on operations against organized crime and terrorism.
"The need for global partnerships to address shared challenges, from advancing sustainable development to countering the threats posed by transnational organized crime and terrorism, has never been more clear," said Mr. Fedotov in his opening remarks.
In his own address, the Secretary General of INTERPOL Juergen Stock said: "INTERPOL and UNODC have been working closely together for many years, and this agreement will provide a more strategic, forward-looking orientation for our partnership. The increasingly complex nature of terrorism and organized crime requires a coherent and effective global response to better protect citizens and infrastructures around the world."
UNODC and INTERPOL tackle human trafficking and migrant smuggling, wildlife crime and trafficking in cultural property. Their activities also includes joint efforts against firearms, support anti-corruption and asset recovery, and building capacities to combat illicit trafficking, among other activities.
"We are looking forward to expanding our cooperation with INTERPOL to build capacities and increase coordination against cybercrime, money laundering and illicit financial flows, as well as developing and promoting e-learning," said Mr. Fedotov.
UNODC's work in counter-terrorism activities also showcases the complementary strengths of the two organizations. The focus of UNODC is on the legal and capacity building aspects of terrorism, which integrates INTERPOL's programmes, tools and databases, while INTERPOL addresses the operational aspects.
"This agreement will assist in avoiding the risk of overlooking any gaps or overlap in areas covered by our work to better support national crime prevention efforts," concluded the INTERPOL Chief.
The cooperation arrangement also addresses emerging threats, including the sale of trafficked cultural property to finance terrorism, foreign terrorist fighters, violent extremism and abuse of the internet for terrorist purposes, improvised explosive devises and the links between organized crime networks and terrorists groups.
"In short, the cooperation arrangement can be a force multiplier - maximizing the impact of the work under our respective mandates, helping to avoid duplication and ensuring efficient and effective assistance," explained Mr. Fedotov.
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For further information please contact:
David
Dadge
Spokesperson: UNODC
Telephone: (+43 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at]unvienna.org
