For information only - not an official document

UNIS/CP/980
12 July 2017

Message of the Executive Director, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov:

UNODC Chief welcomes Japan's decision to join crime and corruption conventions

VIENNA, 12 July (UN Information Service) - "I warmly welcome the decision of Japan to become a party to both the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

By joining virtually every other nation in ratifying these conventions, Japan will strengthen work being done to confront drugs, crime, and corruption as part of the overall efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The decision also delivers a strong message that transnational organized crime and corruption can only be successfully tackled through greater cooperation, joint operations and mutual legal assistance among countries.

Once again, I am tremendously pleased that Japan has joined the family of nations making full use of these powerful conventions.The UN Office on Drugs and Crime looks forward to working closely with Japan in the near future, especially as we draw closer to the 14th UN Crime Congress to be held in the country in 2020."

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Background: Japan became a party to UNCAC, and UNTOC, as well as its protocols on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, on 11 July. UNTOC was adopted by UN General Assembly resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000, and is the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime. It opened for signature by Member States in Palermo, Italy, on 12-15 December 2000 and entered into force on 29 September 2003. At present, there are 188 parties to UNTOC.

UNCAC is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. The Convention's far-reaching approach makes it a unique tool for developing a comprehensive response to a global problem that deeply damages sustainable development. Adopted by the UN General Assembly: 31 October 2003, by resolution 58/4 Entry into force:14 December 2005. There are now 182 parties to UNCAC.

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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