UNIS/CP/407
18 April 2002

NO COUNTRY ALONE CAN SUCCESSFULLY FIGHT INTERNATIONAL CRIME,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DESIGNATE OF THE UN OFFICE FOR DRUG
CONTROL AND CRIME PREVENTION TELLS CRIME COMMISSION

VIENNA, 18 April (UN Information Service) -- The Executive Director Designate of the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (ODCCP), Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, has told the 11th session of the Crime Commission meeting in Vienna that international cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime is essential if it is to be successfully fought.

Addressing the 11th session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice being held in Vienna, Mr. Costa said: "Over the past few years, the unprecedented threats posed by organized crime, in all its facets, from trafficking in human beings, and drug trafficking, to organized crime, corruption and international terrorism, resulted in the clear recognition by the international community that no country alone can successfully cope with transnational crime."

Mr. Costa added that governments increasingly seek to address these issues in a multilateral setting, through agreed strategies and activities and with shared international standards and instruments.

"The UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three Protocols - against trafficking in human beings, smuggling of migrants and illicit trafficking in firearms - represent the embodiment of the commitment and appreciation by the international community of the need to join forces and act together to combat the most serious global transnational manifestations of crime," Mr. Costa told the meeting.

Mr. Costa also emphasized the importance of the ongoing negotiations on a draft UN Convention Against Corruption and of the recent entry into force of the International Convention on the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism.

On 7 May 2002 Mr. Costa will take up his responsibilities as the Director-General of United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and the Executive Director of ODCCP. Mr. Costa said his priorities will be to ensure good governance, transparency, credibility and accountability in the running of the office.

The 11th session of the Crime Commission is meeting in Vienna until 25 April and its theme is the reform of the criminal justice system.

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