For information only - not an official document
UNIS/CP/949
25 November 2016
VIENNA, 25 November (UN Information Service) - Allow me to begin by thanking the Chairs of the CND and CCPCJ for holding this special event on the occasion of the visit of the President of the Seventy-First Session of the General Assembly.
It is also fitting that this is taking place today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and the start of the Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Ending violence against women and girls is a key target of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Five, and a priority for UNODC as we support Member States in implementing the international drug control conventions, the UN Conventions on transnational organized crime and corruption, the international counter terrorism instruments and the UN standards and norms on crime prevention and criminal justice.
For UNODC, the 2030 Agenda provides a holistic, multi-dimensional framework that recognizes that security, justice, the rule of law and health matter for achieving development for all.
We know that weak institutions and an absence of the rule of law can contribute to and prolong conflict and insecurity, which in turn act as significant push factors for mass migration, loss of life and expansion of illicit economies.
UNODC's work in the areas of justice, anti-corruption and helping to build resilient institutions is an integral part of the comprehensive responses that the UN system is undertaking to address new types of crises that the world is facing.
Our governing commissions, the CND and CCPCJ, have long recognized the links between our mandate and attaining sustainable development targets.
Through numerous resolutions, they have advanced our work to confront the criminals who would undermine efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda, and to promote justice, the rule of law and gender-sensitive policies as outcomes and enablers of sustainable development.
We do this in many areas targeted under the SDGs, including but not limited to:
• Promoting the rule of law and equal access to justice;
• Combatting terrorism and crime;
• Eliminating violence against women and children;
• Eradicating human trafficking;
• Advancing sustainable development in illicit drug crop areas;
• Ending poaching and trafficking of protected flora and fauna;
• Reducing illicit financial flows, as well as flows of arms;
• Reducing corruption and bribery, and strengthening the recovery and return of stolen assets; and
• Ensuring healthy lives by strengthening prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
The Doha Declaration agreed at the Thirteenth Crime Congress last year sets out far-reaching commitments to strengthen the rule of law and promote a culture of lawfulness.
With the support of Qatar, UNODC is helping governments to put the Declaration into action and contribute to realizing the SDGs, in particular Goal Sixteen, through initiatives focused on strengthening judicial integrity, prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration, education for justice and promoting sports to advance youth crime prevention..
UNODC's work has been further reinforced by the outcome document of the recent UNGASS on the world drug problem and the comprehensive follow-up process led by the CND, which make clear that balanced, evidence-based and comprehensive approaches to drug control and efforts to achieve the SDGs are complementary and mutually reinforcing.
Going forward, the experience and expertise of UNODC and its network of field offices remain key resources for Member States.
UNODC is in the front line to globally monitor many of the targets under Goal Sixteen.
Our statistics and research provide the evidence for our actions and inform the work of the Commissions.
This year our flagship publications, the World Drug Report and the first Global Report on wildlife crime, have greatly advanced our understanding of how drug policies can be more development sensitive, and how the international community can address trafficking of protected species, a key target of Goal Fifteen.
In a few weeks, I will be in New York to present our latest Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, a knowledge tool that I hope Member States can use to better fight this terrible crime and achieve related SDG targets.
UNODC also continues to be closely engaged with our UN system partners in all areas of work.
Thank you once again for this opportunity to strengthen our joint work towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.
UNODC stands ready to support you.
Thank you.
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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
