CCPCJ Third Intersessional Meeting

Yeah, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. It is my honor to welcome all of you to the third intersessional meeting of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. at its 35th session. I hope we can agree to adopt the draft agenda. I see no objections. So it's decided. Thank you. And I would also like to welcome His Excellency Judge Al Buloushi, Chair of the UAE National Organizing Committee for the 15th UN Crime Congress, who is connected online. Judge Ablushi, thank you for joining us today, as well as for all the efforts undertaken to host the upcoming Crime Congress. And I will give you, Your Excellency, the floor after I have first raised a number of Crime Congress-related matters. We start with the organizational arrangements. As you are aware, the organizational arrangements for the Congress have been agreed within the extended deadline on the 5th of August. According to those arrangements, the meetings of the pre-congress consultations, plenary proceedings and high-level segment would be provided with interpretation in all official languages, while committee one and committee two would conduct their work, namely the four workshops, without interpretation. Despite the system-wide restrictions, the proposed organizational arrangements provide interpretation in all official languages during the pre-congress consultations and all plenary and high-level meetings of the Congress throughout the six-day program. Allow me also to emphasize, firstly, these arrangements are exceptional and time-bound. Secondly, they are a direct consequence of the financial constraints affecting the provision of conference services across the UN Secretariat. Thirdly, that they constitute no precedent for future congresses. And fourthly, they are without prejudice to the application of Rule 49 of the Rules of Procedure for the UN Crime Congresses, with the Congress reaffirming its commitment to multilingualism. In addition, consultations have been held on the possible inclusion of a strictly limited remote participation element in the plenary proceedings of the Congress. This would allow remote speakers to intervene live for no more than a total of 30 minutes per three-hour meeting segment. This is an exceptional additional live arrangement provided in addition to the option to send a pre-recorded video message and the opportunity to provide it to follow the meetings in all languages on UN Web TV. I wish to stress that this additional provision would not entail any changes to the organizational arrangements. In light of the information provided, may I take it that this exceptional additional provision is agreeable to all?

Thank you very much.

Participants wishing to deliver statements live remotely under this exceptional provision are asked to inform the Secretariat in advance by 16 September at the latest. And speaking slots would be allocated on a first come, first serve basis with a maximum of six to seven speakers per 30 minute segment. A dedicated link would be provided by conference management services for the delivery of such remote statements. Now, participation, do you see these slides? I wish to briefly recall that registration for the Crime Congress is open online on the Congress website. Any issues relating to registration that need to be dealt with at this stage have been brought for action to the extended bureau meeting of the CCPCJ. Also, I wish to recall that the credentials must reach the secretariat of the Congress in hard copy and by the 9th of September at the latest. And the issues relating to credentials will be dealt with by the Credentials Committee of the Congress. I will report on this matter later. Now, the election of the President and officers. Let us now turn to the matters to be considered during the pre-Congress consultations on the 25th of September 2026. which I will have the honor to chair in my capacity as the chair of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which is acting as preparatory body to the Congress. We will begin with the composition of the General Committee. As you are aware, the Congress is requested to elect the 28 members of the General Committee on the basis of equitable geographical distribution. The presidency of the 15th Crime Congress will be held by the host country, the United Arab Emirates, which is a member of the Asia-Pacific group, and the remaining 27 offices would each be filled by a representative of one of the other regional groups. To date, the Secretariat has been informed of the following nominations by the regional groups. For the core functions, rapporteur general, Her Excellency Matilda Aku Alomato Osei-Agyeman, Ghana, for the African Group. Chair of Committee I, it's myself for the WEAG Group. Chair of Committee II, His Excellency Ambassador Jose Antonio Zabel Goiter from Mexico for CULAC. It means that the only core function for which there was no nomination yet is the function of the first vice president, which would go to the Eastern European Group. For the other functions of vice presidents, for the African group, His Excellency Mr. Assedine Farhane, Morocco, Her Excellency Mrs. Maymunata Katara, Burkina Faso, His Excellency Mr. Yacouba Cisse, Cote d'Ivoire, and His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Nasser, Egypt. We were informed during the extended bureau meeting yesterday that the outstanding nominations will be filled by South Africa and Nigeria. For the Asia Pacific group, Mr. Yojhata Tasarika from Thailand, Mr. Vikramjeet Dugal from India, His Excellency Mr. Atsushi Kaifu from Japan, His Excellency Mr. Majid Al-Khatani from Jordan, and Her Excellency Mrs. Zayida Mirziyoyeva from Uzbekistan. We were informed during the extended bureau meeting yesterday that the outstanding nomination is underway. For KULAC, it's Her Excellency Mrs. Angela Vigliotta Mella from the Dominican Republic. There are still a number of seats for the position of Vice President open. One officer from the Asia-Pacific Group, which is underway, five officers from VEOG, three officers from GRULAC, two officers from the Eastern European Group. And I would kindly invite the chairs of the regional groups to communicate any remaining nominations as soon as possible. And now I'd like to give the floor to the Secretary regarding work of the General Committee.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and good afternoon to all, those in the room and those joining us today. So I would just like to say that the General Committee will expectedly have two meetings during the Congress. An informal pre-Congress meeting will expectedly be held on the 25th of September, immediately the pre-congress consultations. More detailed information will be shared in due course. It will be just very important that we have contact details for each of the countries that are represented in the General Committee, so that we can easily reach everybody and make sure that also the Vice Presidents and the other members of the General Committee are informed about meetings. taking place. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Jo. And now I'd like to give an update on the composition of the Credentials Committee. I wish to record that following the postponement of the 15th United Crime Congress in United Nations Crime Congress in April 2026, six members of the Credentials Committee have reconfirmed their participation, namely China, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Russian Federation, Switzerland, serving in lieu of Andorra, and the United States. As for the remaining members, consultations undertaken through the respective permanent missions in New York indicate that Botswana, Senegal, and Trinidad and Tobago are not yet in a position to confirm their participation in the Committee. I strongly encourage the Chairs of the regional groups to inform us at their earliest convenience about their alternative candidates. I give the floor now again to the Secretary regarding the work of the Credentials Committee.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. And here also for the Credentials Committee, I can say that there will be expectedly two meetings, most likely one on the second day of the Congress and a second meeting towards the end of the Congress. The Credentials Committee is expected to prepare a report and a draft decision, which will be acted upon in plenary on the final day of the Congress. More detailed information will be shared in due course. Same here, very important that we have contact details for each of the members of the Credentials Committee so that we can also contact you and share information on meetings and other organizational issues. Thank you.

Thank you, Joe. And the next point is adoption of the Rules of Procedure. The pre-congress consultations are expected to recommend that the Congress adopts the provisional Rules of Procedure as contained in document A/10/2017. CONF.241/2. The rules are intended to be interpreted allowing practical solutions to the challenges posed by reduced interpretation services caused by budgetary constraints due to the liquidity crisis. As explained earlier, none of these practical solutions shall constitute a precedent for future Congresses. As to the adoption of the agenda, allocation of items, the pre-congress consultations will also have to consider for the congress adoption, the provisional agenda, including the agenda items and organization of work as contained in document A/CONF.241/1/Rev.1. Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the provisional agenda, as well as the high-level segment of the 15th Congress will be held in plenary. while workshops 1 and 3 would be allocated to Committee 1, and workshops 2 and 4 to Committee 2 for consideration. For the meeting times, I kindly ask you to consult the annex to the annotated provisional agenda document A/CN.F.241/1/Rev.1. Information on the venue and logistical arrangement is contained in the information for participants, the same document. These are two key documents available online, and I encourage you all to read them carefully. Now the next slide, arrangements for the opening and the high-level segment. Agenda items, the agenda item one, opening of the Congress, and two, organizational matters, will be considered during the procedural part of the opening. The recommendations agreed upon during the pre-Congress consultations will be reflected in the report, which will be available at the procedural opening of the Congress on the 26th of September. The procedural part will be followed by the ceremonial opening. which will include a handover ceremony involving Japan, which held the presidency of the 14th UN Crime Congress. And a statement will be delivered by a dignitary from the host country and by the executive director of UNODC, Mrs. Monica Juma, in her capacity as Secretary General of the Congress. This is expected to be followed by the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. And here I'd like to give the floor to His Excellency Judge Ablushi. At this point, Your Excellency, you have the floor.

Thank you, Excellency. Good afternoon, and thank you for the invitation to join you today. I would like to thank you, Mr. Chairperson, as well all the other delegates. who were actively engaged in bringing the delegation on the Abu Dhabi declarations to conclusions. As I announced on 7 July at the end of the resumed sessions of the delegation, I have transmitted the chair text for adoption on the opening day of the 15th UN Crime Congress. And I account on everybody's support to ensure that the adoption goes smoothly. Thank you, Excellency.

Thank you very much for that, Giorgio Blusi. The Secretariat has informed me that the text has meanwhile been edited and made available in all official languages on the website of the Congress. It's document A/CONF.241/L.1. I also count on the support of all delegations to make sure that the text can be adopted by acclamation. Should any delegation wishing to make a statement of position related to the Abu Dhabi Declaration, that possibility will be provided during the procedural opening ahead of the formal adoption of the text. Now we turn to the high-level debate. The high level segment will allow heads of delegation to make a substantive statement in accordance with GA resolution 79/186. Now we have the right slide again. Before that, the representatives of the youth forum will present the outcome of their forum to the Congress. As you will recall, The Youth Forum is expected to take place on the 24th and 25th of December 2026, immediately preceding the Congress. Government delegates will be invited to attend a networking session with youth participants on the 25th of September. More details on this will follow. Now to the High-Level Plenary Debate. and the establishment of the list of speakers. Good. The speakers representing the G77 and China, the African group, the Asian group, GRULAC and the European Union will be provided with an opportunity to address the high-level debate first. Chairs of these established regional groups are reminded to limit their statements to five to maximum seven minutes, or other speakers are kindly reminded to limit the statements to a maximum of three to five minutes in order to ensure that all states wishing to make statements have the opportunity to do so. I wish to recall that the deadline for submitting the information on speakers for the high-level segment to participate in the drawing of lots was the 26th of August. The list of speakers will be established in the meeting today. taking into account the rank of the head of delegation of each state requesting the floor. Here again, I'd like to give the floor to the Secretariat for more information.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. And we received 86 requests for speaking slots during the high-level segment, 50 by ministers and 36 by other senior-level representatives of member states. I want to say here also that we received a request for a slot by the Holy See and the State of Palestine. And as was explained before, that will be dealt with separately, so there will be a slot reserved for those two states. I got before the meeting today a question what happens if the application was not received yet, submitted yet. So there is a possibility to be added to the list of speakers, but then just in a way following to those slots that are already being taken during the meeting today. So there is still a possibility to have an additional slot, but it would after those slots that were in a way allocated today. Just two things to clarify. As per established country, if a given country has made an application for a minister to speak and receives a slot amongst the ministers and afterwards the participation of the minister is changed and another high-level participant is delivering the intervention, then the speaking slot will not be So, the new speaker will be added to the second list so that priority is given to ministers. And also, if I may clarify, if speakers want to make a statement on behalf of a group of countries on a specific topic during the high-level segment, they would be expected to accommodate that within the time allocated for the national statement. And perhaps, if it's on a specific topic, another option might be to deliver such a joint statement under the relevant agenda item during the regular segment. Thank you.

Thank you very much and I'd like to repeat what we have just heard. 50 speakers in the ministerial segment.

This is a quite promising result.

Looking forward to the segment during the crime congress. And now we come to the pledge for justice. And I would also like to draw your attention to the to this initiative, which will be one of the special features of the high-level segment of the 15th Congress. As you will recall, member states have already received information on the initiative. This through notes, as well as dedicated special messages providing further details on the concept and the arrangements for the pledges. And this initiative is intended to provide a visible platform for member states to make concrete time-bound commitments to advance crime prevention, criminal justice, and thereby help translate the political commitments of the Congress into practical action beyond Abu Dhabi. pledges may take different forms. They may concern national, regional, or international initiatives, may or new or strengthened partnerships and cooperation. capacity building and technical assistance or financial and other resource commitments. During the high-level debate, member states that have submitted a pledge in advance will announce it as part of their national statement. The pledge should therefore be incorporated at the end of the intervention of the respective delegation and will form part of the allocated speaking time. The Secretariat is also working together with the UAE counterparts on a dedicated visual and interactive element in the plenary hall to accompany the pledges and give the initiative a recognizable identity throughout the high-level segment. Here again, we hear more details from the Secretariat.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. And indeed, when the speaker of a delegation reaches the pledge in his or her statement, the speaker will be invited to activate a device at the podium. This will trigger the Pledge for Justice visual on the main screen, showing the name of the country and a visual representation. That visual will be then transitioned back to another visual where the member states will become part of the growing pledge for justice picture. With every subsequent pledge, another member state will be added so that the visual gradually comes to life to a colorful collective over the course of the high-level segment. So in this way, the audience will be able to see the collective commitment growing pledge by pledge, starting with the host country, while each participating member state has a distinct moment during its national statement to mark its contribution. More on the visualization of the Pledge for Justice initiative will be shared in due course in a special message. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you. I would encourage delegations that have submitted a pledge or that have any questions regarding the initiative or the arrangements for announcing their pledge during the high-level segment to contact the secretariat to the Congress. The secretariat will be very pleased to provide any further guidance required. I would kindly ask all delegations to ensure that any further expressions of interest are communicated to the secretariat as soon as possible. As to the high-level segment thematic meetings, in addition to the proceedings in plenary and committees, 13 high-level segment thematic meetings are scheduled to take place from the 26th to the 28th of September. The program, including concept notes and contact details of the focal points, has been posted online. This program will be also made available in the journal in due course. And again, are there any further details on this?

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. And indeed, the purpose of this high-level segment thematic meetings is to provide also heads of delegation an opportunity, in addition to the statement that they make in the plenary, to have the possibility for an interactive exchange on specific thematic areas. On the website, we have posted the and the contact details of the UNODC focal points for each of these meetings. So if there is interest by a given country to have more information, we kindly ask you to please get in touch with the UNODC focal point. Thank you very much.

Thank you for this. And now we come to the report of the Congress. In accordance with the practice followed by the previous Congresses, the report of the Congress will consist of the adopted Abu Dhabi Declaration of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and any decisions taken during the Congress, as well as a brief account of the events leading to the convening of the Congress, the proceedings of the Congress, including a list of speakers addressing the high-level segment of the Congress, a summary of the deliberations of the work conducted by the plenary and chair summaries containing salient points made and recommendations for each of the workshops conducted in the committees. As per established practice, the report will also include an overview of the high-level segment thematic meetings. The reports of Committee I and Committee II will be considered at the at the final meetings of the respective committees for approval and transmission for adoption by the plenary on the final day of the Congress. The parts of the report that reflect the last day of the Congress will be finalized post-Congress and under the guidance of the rapporteur general. For more information on the report, delegations are encouraged to take a look at the reports of the 13th and 14th Human Rights Congresses which are available on the Crime Congress website. Participants in the pre-congress consultations will be asked to recommend that the congress proceeds accordingly with the preparation of its report. I hope that this is acceptable to everybody. Thank you. And now to the ancillary events, exhibitions, labs, and so on. The Secretariat received proposals for over 210 ancillary events and 30 exhibitions. Organizers no longer wishing to proceed are kindly requested to inform the Secretariat as soon as possible. Dedicated space will be offered at the Congress to the institutes of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network, PNI's. civil society organizations and youth to program a series of events by their constituency in their own labs. Moreover, for the first time in the history of the Crime Congresses, the private sector will be engaged through fireside chats, which consist of informal discussions with representatives of the private sector from the UAE and around the world. as well as other stakeholders on emerging technological trends relevant to crime prevention and criminal justice. Therefore, there will be two panels. First one, AI data and digital technologies shaping the future of crime prevention and law enforcement. And secondly, smart cities, safe cities, AI infrastructure and digital systems for public safety. These fireside chats will be held at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, the 29th of September and Wednesday, the 30th of September, respectively. Related programs and information will be shared in due course and now I will again give the floor to his excellency, Judge Ablushi, to share with us any additional information he would wish to share on behalf of the host country.

Thank you, Your Excellency. First, I would like to welcome each and every participant to Abu Dhabi. With regard to the arrangements being provided by the UAE, we are committed to ensuring that all delegations have a comfortable welcoming and well-organized experience through the Congress. The UAE will provide accommodation for the ministers. Lunch and coffee break will also be provided every day for all participants throughout the Congress. Additionally, beyond the formal programs, we are coordinating a gala dinner for the head of delegations and also a number of the cultural activities that will allow our guests to experience Emirati hospitality and heritage It will include traditional Emirati performances, such as Al Ayala, as well as a cultural display and experience involving falconry and other elements that reflected the traditions and identity of the UAE. I also want to mention that the UAE remains a stable, safe, and secure country, and is fully prepared to host one international event of this scale, all relevant national and local authorities have been closely involved in the preparation and arrangements are being coordinated to ensure the safety and security for all. We want every participant to feel fully welcome from the moment they arrive in the UAE until their departure, and we are working across all relevant and it is to ensure a safe, smooth and welcoming experience. See you soon in Abu Dhabi. Thank you, Mr. Jay.

Thank you, Your Excellency. This sounds very promising. And at this point, I'd also like to ask if there are any comments or questions before we move to the next agenda item, which is the drawing of lots. So any questions, comments?

I see. The Philippines, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for the briefing. Good afternoon, colleagues. I noted the September 9 deadline for the hard copy of the letters of credentials, but I also noted in the website, It was said that it's not a hard and fast deadline, and for some delegations like mine are still trying to finalize the LOC. Will there be an option to submit it in Abu Dhabi, or when it will be possible, until when will it be possible to submit it here in Vienna, and then if it's in Abu Dhabi then? I just wanted to clarify that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yeah, I turn to the Secretary.

Thank you very much. Well, I mean, as we said, ideally we receive everything by the 9th of September, but we know that it is not always possible. So what is very important that you submit it as soon as possible, also in a soft copy online. And then if need be, you can bring the hard copy also to It's not ideal if you can do it before, it helps us tremendously, but if it's not possible otherwise, please provide us a soft copy online and then bring the hard copy to Abu Dhabi. I hope that that helps. Thank you very much.

Any further comments?

It is the Alliance of NGOs.

Yeah, only after the member states. First, Canada.

Canada, please.

Thank you very much, Chair, and many thanks as well for all of the updates from the Secretary and also from the UAE as our hosts. My question is in regards to arrangements for high-level heads of delegation. for some of the protocol aspects in terms of arrangements upon arrival, as well as some of the elements that His Excellency Judge Blusci was just mentioning. When we can expect to receive further details, notional timing for some of those elements so that we can ensure we prepare and ensure we also have our heads of DEL, ministers available and on the ground for those events. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Well, some of the logistical details are contained in the note for participants. Everything in addition to this, whatever we have in terms of information, we share it immediately also with our counterparts in Abu Dhabi, including all the information on the heads of delegation And we know that his Excellency Judge Ablushi and his team are working very hard also to make sure that all the protocol arrangements are in place, are also working with the local embassies there. So I think that's what I can say for now. I don't know if Judge Ablushi maybe wants to add to this, but I can reassure you that all the information here is shared and that I know, as we got also confirmed this morning or this afternoon from Judge Ablushi, from there and they are also doing everything that is possible to have that in place soon as thank you.

Yeah, thank you.

Judge Arbluschi, would you like to add something to these explanations?

Thank you, thank you, Excellencies, and my pleasure to meet my colleagues also to see them there in Rome. As Joe mentioned, yes, we already have connected with the local embassies and we put all the arrangement with the protocol from arriving and departure time, even for the accommodation and arrangement, it will be available from our side. And we have the focal point, they are working together with all the local embassies for that. Thank you, Xanthe.

Thank you very much. Anybody else? It doesn't seem the case.

Then I saw that the Alliance of NGOs would like to ask a question.

Thank you very much, Ambassador. Thank you to you and the secretariat and to the representatives of the host country for all the information that's been provided today. I would like to give some updates from the civil society side and ask a question as well. But just taking a step back, according to General Assembly resolution 46152, the crime congresses were set up to provide a forum for the exchange of views between states, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations and individual experts. So civil society and other experts are therefore a key constituency in the mandates and the proceedings of the Congress. Unfortunately, at the last Congress, during the COVID-19 pandemic, civil society could not attend in person. And for different reasons, it looks increasingly likely that the 15th Congress will go ahead in circumstances that will greatly reduce civil society participation. As the chair of the NGO Alliance, I was very pleased to see how more NGOs than ever had applied to attend the Congress, and I saw how civil society organizations dug deep into their own resources, which are scarce at the moment, to attend the originally scheduled meeting in April. However, when the original Congress was postponed, many lost money as bookings were canceled, could not be refunded, and have decided to invest resources elsewhere in the meantime. As it stands, in the current circumstances, it is very difficult for organisations to invest resources and send representatives to the 15th Crime Congress in person. Aside from the risks involved in sending representatives, which require organisations, which are sometimes very small, to review and analyse relevant travel advisories themselves, They have to consider financial risks if there is disruption or delays. They have to consider whether their organisational travel insurance will support them in certain situations. And they have to consider the knock-on effects of potential travel disruption. All of these reasons are why many civil society organisations have already decided not to attend in person. Having said that, civil society is committed to taking part in whatever way it can to contribute to the impact of the Congress. We hope that the secretariat, and we appreciate the sentiments from the representative of the host country, but we do hope the secretariat of the host country and all member states can consider what else can be done to ensure that a fruitful exchange can continue to take place with as much civil society participation as is possible in whichever formats. This could include reorganization of the agenda, for example, of the ancillary meetings to cluster confirmed in-person side events together. and through the provision of support for in-person civil society attendees who decide to come. I welcome the announcement that there will be a possibility for remote statements. Will that also be extended to civil society, through the statements that are being co-ordinated by the alliance? Will that also be extended to the committees? Thank you very much.

Yeah, first of all, thank you for the statement and let me briefly react. Of course, we deplore, I think everybody deplores that the Crime Congress had to be postponed and that now participation of some NGOs might be made more complicated, but I still think You mentioned the side events, the ancillary events, 210 side events. I really look forward to a relatively active participation and involvement of the NGOs, and I'm optimistic that we will have a good participation of NGOs in Abu Dhabi, but I look to the Secretariat as to your question.

Thank you very much. I can say that at this moment in time, we see quite a considerable registration of NGO participants so far in Indico. So that's what we have noticed so far. Also, when it comes to the ancillary events, there is the possibility to have them also done in a hybrid format, in an online format, so also. there is the possibility also to kind of, in a way, see how that can be adjusted. This remote addition is something that, in a way, is provided on an exceptional basis, also with the support that we have from conference management services. As I said, it is restricted. We will only be able to accommodate 30 minutes per three hours session. And we will need to see. So the rules of procedure will apply to that. It will be on a first come, first serve basis, respecting, obviously, also the priority that is given to Member States. But yes, if we get requests from NGOs that can be accommodated, respecting the order of speaking, and that can be accommodated within these 30 minutes, that will basically be provided. And then that will also be the case for the committees. So it's not just for the plenary, but also for the committee. So I hope that that also is an additional support, if I may call it also, and that that can be providing an answer to the question. Thank you.

Yeah, thank you. Any further comments, questions.

This is not the case, then we move on on the agenda, and now we come to the drawing of lots. For the list of speakers at the high-level segment, as far as representatives of member states speaking in their national capacity are concerned, governments were invited to inform the secretariat by the 26th of August of the name of their representative to the high-level segment and whether the representative wished to address the commission during the high-level segment. The Secretariat received 50 nominations for the states that will be represented at the level of cabinet ministers, and 36 nominations for states that will be represented at a lower level than that of cabinet ministers. We will have a drawing of lots for these two categories today, namely for the category of cabinet rank ministers and for all other speakers. The names of the Member States participating in the drawing of lots today have been communicated in a special message on 25 August. The names of those that informed the Secretariat since have also been added. Allow me to explain the procedure of the drawing of lots. The information is also contained in the revised information for participants, which is available online with the symbol A/CUNF.241/INF/1/Rev.1. We have two different boxes, one containing the names of the States that will be represented by cabinet rank ministers, and the other containing the names of all other States that have requested a speaking slot. The representative of the Secretariat will start by drawing one name from the box containing the names of all States that will be represented by a cabinet-ranked minister, such as ministers of justice, foreign affairs, home affairs, interior, and attorney generals. Once the name of a State has been drawn, the State will be invited to choose a meeting morning, afternoon or evening of Saturday, 26 September, or morning or afternoon of Sunday, 27 September, and then to choose the speaking slot in that meeting. This procedure will be repeated until all names have been drawn from that box of the States to be represented by Ministers. at cabinet rank have chosen meetings and speaking slots, a representative of the Secretariat will draw one name after the other from the box containing the names of all states that will be represented at other levels. So I would like to bring to your attention that in line with past practice, the last speaking slots of the second and fourth plenary meetings afternoon of Saturday, the 26th of September, and the morning of Sunday, 27th of September, will be reserved for the Holy See and the State of Palestine in their capacities as observer states. As both the Holy See and the State of Palestine have indicated the wish to speak in the high-level debate, the Secretariat will reach out to them. Member states that are not present during the drawing of lots today will be assigned the next available slot in the category of their speaker, cabinet rank ministerial or others. When choosing the slot for their high level representatives, the delegations are encouraged to take into account any other commitments in which those representatives may be expected to participate. We will now move to the drawing of lots. We are grateful to have with us here today Mr. Temur Gogolashvili, Chief of the Protocol at UNOHR, who is advising us on this matter. We now move on to the first box containing the names of the Member States that will be represented by cabinet rank ministers.

Malta. Is somebody from Malta? Just ask if somebody from Malta is in the room.

Malta, you have the floor.

We were not prepared to choose. I thought it was what was going to be as the usual practice.

So we don't have any preference, but ideally it would be on the Saturday, 26 September.

Thank you.

Kuwait, Mr. Chair.

Kuwait, you have the floor.

They are not here we put them I see okay Kuwait yes um okay after Malta then we have Mongolia.

Mongolia you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At this moment, we also don't have any preferences with regards to the slot. Also, I think after.

Then we put you on three after Malta and Kuwait. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Uzbekistan.

Madam, thank you very much.

So, after Mongolia.

Thank you.

Guatemala, please. Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Well, in our case, we will be represented by the Vice President.

Who will be participating and delivering his statement via video. So this is one of those cases that not fit in the usual order.

Yeah, but you can regularly choose a slot and then...

Okay, that would be okay. Thank you.

Next would be China.

China, you have--

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair.

And as others, we don't get any instruction for here, and we don't see your instruction on the agenda, so.

We would like to postpone our choosing.

Thank you so much.

Just give me the floor.

Yeah, then we put you provisionally into this table.

Thank you very much. If I may clarify, if you don't have now a preference, we put you there, and I'm sure there will be other delegates in the room that will be very happy to swap with you, should you in a way be at a later stage, have another place. So, if you don't have now a preference, we put you here, the next slot, and then, as I said, there is a possibility for swaps afterwards, yeah.

Then I believe that we would like the first morning.

Yeah. Thank you so much. Thank you for that.

This would be the first slot in the afternoon because we have five slots in the morning. So it would be the first slot in the afternoon. Then the next would be Japan.

Japan, you have the floor.

Thank you very much.

We would like to have the earliest possible one, the slot. Thank you.

So after Guatemala then.

After China.

After China, yeah, very good.

The next would be Latvia, Chair.

Latvia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. We would like to go after Japan then.

Thank you thank you next would be Singapore Mr. chair.

Singapore you have the floor

let's go lucky number nine.

Next would be San Marino.

San Marino you have the floor yes.

We are also not given any instructions, so you can just put us next. Thank you.

Next would be Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Chair.

Kyrgyzstan, you have the floor.

Okay. Next would be Nigeria.

Nigeria, do you have a floor? Okay, we put you there.

Next would be Syrian Arab Republic.

Thank you very much. I don't have an instruction till now.

Let us put it up to Nigeria.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next would be Thailand.

Thailand, please.

Thank you.

Just number 14. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next would be Pakistan.

Pakistan, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As of now, we don't have any strong preference, so you can just put us there at number 15. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next would be Peru.

Peru, please. Okay, we put you there.

Next would be Malaysia.

Malaysia, please.

Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Joe. We can go along with the drawing of lots.

Thank you.

Next would be Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan, please.

Okay.

Next would be Egypt.

Egypt, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. After Kazakhstan, please.

Thank you.

Next would be Netherlands. In the name of the Netherlands.

Netherlands, please.

Yes, number 20, please. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next would be Costa Rica.

Costa Rica, please.

Here.

Yes, after Netherlands, yes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next would be Ireland.

Ireland, please.

Thank you. Good afternoon. Sorry.

We'll take the slot after Costa Rica.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Next would be Qatar.

Qatar, please.

Thank you, Chair.

We'll take the next available spot.

Thank you.

Next would be Italy.

Italy, please.

Yes, for the moment, we don't have extraction. It's okay for 24.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Next would be Finland.

Finland, please.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

We'll take number 25.

Thank you.

Next would be Canada.

Canada, please.

Thank you. We're actually going to shake this up and go for the Sunday morning. And actually, if we could take slot 58, please. 58. Thank you.

Thank you. This is very precise. Thank you.

Okay Armenia please sorry Armenia please Armenia please.

Yeah thank you sorry about that thank you chair we will just follow the suit continue after Finland thank you.

Thank you next would be Jordan Jordan please.

Next would be Sudan.

Sudan.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It's after Jordan, please. Thank you.

Next would be Colombia.

Colombia, please. Thank you. Yes, 29 works. Thank you.

Next would be Algeria.

Algeria, please. Thank you very much.

Thank you for everyone. I'm here. Here.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

I don't know if it's possible, but we prefer the 26th morning, if it's possible.

If it's not possible.

Then you have to swap later on with a country that is there. Then they put you for the moment.

Okay.

Yeah, after Colombia. Then you can negotiate with others whether to swap. Thank you.

Next would be Croatia.

Croatia, please.

Thank you, Chair. We don't have any preference.

Thank you.

Next would be Romania.

Romania, please.

Thank you, Chair. We don't have any instructions, so we'll take the next available slot.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next would be Ecuador.

Ecuador, please. Thank you.

Please, could you add the Ecuador naming number 59, I think.

Could you scroll up, please?

After Canada, it's okay. Thank you. Thank you.

Next would be France.

France, please.

Thank you, Chair. Please add our name after... I don't remember the last one in the main list. After Romania. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next would be Uganda.

Uganda, please.

Don't have any preference, so Switzerland will do, thank you.

So...

Next would be Oman.

Oman, please.

Okay, we put them. Liechtenstein would be next.

Liechtenstein, please.

Thank you. We'll also take the next available slot. 37 is fine. Thank you.

Next would be Morocco.

Morocco, please. Yeah, thank you. We don't have any perverts. Thank you.

Azerbaijan, please.

Azerbaijan, please.

Thank you, Chair.

After Morocco, please.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Portugal is next.

Portugal, please.

Albania, please.

Albania, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm here at your 9 o'clock at the corner.

We'll go next, thank you.

Next in line is fine, thanks. Thank you.

Zimbabwe, please.

Zimbabwe, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chairperson. Number 60 will do.

60. 60, thank you.

Next will be Bangladesh.

Bangladesh, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We'd like to take number 61. 61, thank you.

Next is Maldives.

Maldives, please.

South Africa, please.

South Africa, you have the floor.

Thank you.

Germany, please.

Germany, you have the floor.

Thank you very much. Could we have 57? Thank you.

57, thank you.

Next is Belgium.

Belgium, please.

Thank you.

56 looks good.

Thank you. 56, thank you.

Next is United Kingdom.

United Kingdom, please.

Thank you, Chair. We'll take slot 44, please. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next would be Ghana.

Ghana, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. We don't have any instructions from capital, but we would like to take the slot after United Kingdom.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So, yeah, so this is.

So this was the first box, the ministerial segment.

I see Montenegro, you have the floor.

Thank you, thank you very much, Mr. Chair. So this is just one protocol issue because Montenegro is going to participate in this conference at the level of President of Supreme Court. which is even higher than cabinet minister. So we are not, so we haven't received any kind of, you know, so could, I mean, definitely, I don't believe that we should be in the second, in the second ballot.

We have cabinet minister in the delegation.

Just a moment.

And likewise, we also have our cabinet minister in the delegation, but the head of the delegation is president of the Supreme Court. Thanks.

Thank you very much. I just consulted, and we will come back to you afterwards. So there will be another examination with protocol, maybe consultation with New York. And if there is an issue, we would make sure that we can arrange it afterwards.

Thank you. So, thank you. This brought us to the end of the drawing of lots for the first segment, ministerial segment. And now we move to the second box containing the names of the states that will be represented at other level.

Switzerland.

Switzerland, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. We will go to Sunday morning, number 17. Thank you.

17, thank you.

Bulgaria, please.

Bulgaria, you have the floor.

Sunday morning, please.

Thank you.

Cuba, please.

Cuba. Do you have the floor?

Okay.

Spain, please.

Spain. Thank you very much.

We'll go after Bulgaria. 63, please.

Greece, please.

Greece.

We are going after Spain, please.

Thank you.

Indonesia, please.

Indonesia.

Thank you.

We'll go after Cuba, please, on the first day.

Thank you.

New Zealand, please.

New Zealand, you have the floor.

Thank you. We'll take number 65.

65, thank you.

Venezuela, please.

Venezuela. We were about to take the number 47, but international.

If you don't mind to put me after Indonesia, number 48?

Thank you. 48.

Russian Federation, please.

Russian Federation, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair.

Please put us on Sunday morning, after New Zealand, yes. Thank you.

Slovakia, please.

Slovakia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Please, we will take the number 67. Thank you.

67, thank you.

Sweden, please.

Sweden, you have the floor.

Thank you. We will go after Slovakia, number 68, please.

Thank you.

Lithuania, please.

Disraeli, thank you. We'll go number 69. Thank you. Thank you.

United Republic of Tanzania, please.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We'll go at number 71. 71, thank you.

Australia, please.

Australia.

Thank you, Chair. We're happy to take the next available spot.

Thank you. Can you ask for which day? On which day? Saturday or...

On Sunday, please.

On Sunday. Thank you.

Turkey, please.

Turkey.

Thank you. Please put us after Australia.

After 3. Thank you.

Check here, please.

Check here, you have the phone.

Thank you very much. Well, my instructions are as early as possible, but now it's either Saturday late evening, right?

Yeah.

Or Sunday early or late afternoon. Okay, early afternoon. Okay, well then we will take this slot 74.

Thank you very much. Montenegro, please, we will let you choose now, and then, as I said, we will consult afterwards with protocol, and should it need to be readjusted, we will be consulting with you and find a solution for your speaking. But I would suggest that you choose through the chair, choose a slot now, and we commit to look into it afterwards.

Thank you very much, but I would like to have a kind of other proposal, if possible. So given the fact that our president of Supreme Court goes higher in this hierarchy, so could we take and I would say that number 63, if you scroll it up a little bit, thanks a lot. So I would say that by number 62 are ministers and cabinet ministers and from number 63 onwards are level below the cabinet minister. So if it's possible, because we have participants that is at the level of Supreme Court, so if it's possible to put Montenegro at the number 633, you know, so immediately after announced ministers of the cabinet, so that, you know, in that case, we have kind of solution. So.

Thank you very much. I consulted with protocol and we can do that. I'm not sure that we can really reflect this like that now on the screen, but we will make sure that this is properly reflected. I just, yeah? Okay.

Very good. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

The next is Vietnam, please.

Vietnam.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Please give us number 76. Thank you.

76, thank you.

Cyprus, please.

Cyprus.

Okay, just give me a moment. Just put them all. Mexico, please.

Thank you, Mr. President. Good afternoon. A confirmation from the Secretariat, Committee II will run on Sunday afternoon, right?

Indeed. Thank you.

Bring us to Monday morning. 180.

But Committee II would also run on Monday morning.

There's still room on Sunday morning? The understanding if it's pushed back, then it will be for the persons in charge of the list to accommodate. Thank you.

Austria, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We will follow Sunday morning, the next slot, 79, I think, right?

79, thank you.

Kenya, please.

Thank you, Chair. We can follow after Austria.

Poland, please.

So we can take number 81.

Paraguay, please.

Thank you, Chair. We'll take number 82.

Honduras, please. Okay. Uruguay, please.

Hello. Thank you. Yes, we take 84.

Cote d'Ivoire, please.

We'll take the number 86.

Chile, please.

Thank you. We'll take 87. Thank you.

Republic of Korea, please.

Yeah thank you we prefer Saturday so I can take the number 49 thank you.

Libya please yeah take take after Korea yes Saturday morning uh yeah 50 yeah thank you Dominican Republic, please. Okay, put them on Sunday maybe because we have no. Georgia, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

So if you could scroll down, please, on Sunday afternoon, which is the earliest?

Possible slot?

Sunday afternoon. 80. Sunday afternoon.

It's 85.

Say, is it 85?

85.

No, it needs to be 10 Sunday afternoon. Yes, Sunday afternoon. So, it would be Sunday afternoon.

Yes, so is it 85 the earliest slot or is it 89?

89.

All right, then 89 is fine.

Yeah, Belarus, please. Czechia has the thing.

Czechia.

Thank you very much. May I please ask if number 35 is skipped voluntarily.

This is as we explained, this is in line with past practice that there is a slot for the Holy See and a slot for the State of Palestine, and in line with past practice, this is the way it has been done. Thank you. It was also in all the information that has been shared in a way over the last couple of months. Thank you. United States of America. Thank you.

We will take number 91.

Thank you.

Israel, please.

Thank you very much.

I think we'll take Monday 110.

Thank you.

Philippines, please.

Number 92, please. Thank you.

So, this brought us to the end of the drawing of lots. And The results of the drawing of lots today will be shared in a special message which will be circulated later today. Should there be other member states wishing to participate in the high-level segment, they should contact the secretariat as soon as possible. And the secretariat will try to accommodate those requests in any free speaking slots in close consultation with myself as chair. I would also like to recall, as we As was already explained by the Secretary, if the level that was announced is subsequently changed, the speaker will be moved to the next free speaking slot in the new category, which might be at the same meeting or at one of the subsequent meetings. Speakers who are not present when their speaking turn comes will be automatically moved to the next free speaking slot within their category at the same meeting or at one of the subsequent meetings. Participants may arrange to exchange their speaking slots in accordance with the established practice of the United Nations. In such cases, a written notification must be provided to the Secretariat. by the concerned parties, the Secretariat has prepared a form to facilitate the exchange of slots, which will be shared in a special message. The representatives of UN aid entities, international and regional organizations, will be assigned in accordance with the Rules of Procedure a speaking slot from among the remaining slots on a first-come, first-served basis. Are there any comments or questions at this point?

I see France, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. And this is a related question to this agenda. We heard about a dinner organized by the host country. I know more logistical details will be provided at a later stage, but we heard about this dinner. And I see that some speaking slots are on the 26th, quite late, until 10 p.m. So, fortunately, we are not on the latest slots, but still, do we have any information on the day where this dinner will take place and will this compete with the speaking slots at the plenary?

Thank you very much. I mean, I would need to refer to His Excellency Judge Blushi on this. Can we see where the Judge Blushi is? And if need be, we will need to adjust accordingly, yeah.

Yes, yes, Jo. Yes, according the dinner, yes, it will be in 26 actually. 30. And according the France, we are already with our counterpart in France embassy. We have all the arrangement for that times. And still for the location, we are preparing for the good location for the dinners. By next week, we will start.

Judge Apuzzo, the question was if there's an overlap, if some ministerial speakers still have to speak and the dinner already starts, is there a solution for this conflict?

We will need to get...

Yes, that one we can talk about it after with the secretary, please.

Yes, we will.

We will discuss this.

Yeah, thank you very much.

We will discuss this again. Thank you. I think Myanmar wants to speak. You have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. Myanmar requested a speaking slot for the high-level segment, but unfortunately, it is not in the list of speakers. And I would like to know how can you accommodate it?

We have discussed the participation of Myanmar at the extended bureau meeting, and we will get back to you.

With the respective communication on this. Thank you.

I see the Holy See is asking for the floor.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Ambassador. I would like to know what would be the position of the Holy See and the Palestine in the program, in the agenda, if there is any news that you can share.

Yeah, we have already explained that there is a speaking slot reserved also for the Holy See. So you will be, of course, considered as a speaker.

The Secretariat, if I may add, Mr. Chair, the Secretariat will reach out. It was explained that in line with past practice, there is, and the information that was shared before, there is a speaking slot reserved for the Holy See and for the State of Palestine. We received from both delegations the request to speak, and we will, as Secretariat, reach out. So the slots will be allocated, those two slots, on a first-come, first-served basis. But as explained in all the communication that was shared before, hand. That's not part of the drawing of lots today. Thank you very much.

Thanks to the secretariat for this clarification. I see no further requests for the floor.

Then we move on on the agenda and we come to any other business. And here I would like to very briefly put provide a brief update on the preparations for the reconvened 35th session and the opening of the 36th session of the Commission, as well as on FINGOV matters. First, preparation for the reconvened 35th session of the CCPCJ. wish to record that the thematic discussion on consideration of the report of the 15th United Nations Crime Congress will be held on the 2nd of September. The updated chair's guide for the thematic discussion is being prepared with the support of the secretariat and will be circulated in due course. I ask the regional groups to nominate panelists for the thematic discussion by the 2nd of November. Sorry, I meant of course the 2nd of December as the date for the discussion on considerations of the report of the 15th United Nations Crime Congress. And I would also like to recall that the commission at its reconvened session is expected to adopt a resolution through which the Abu Dhabi Declaration is submitted through ECOSOC for final endorsement by the General Assembly. And secondly, the opening of the 36th session of the CCPCJ on the 4th of December. I would also like to record that the 36th session of the Commission will be opened immediately following the closure of the reconvened 35th session for the sole purpose of electing the Bureau. In accordance with the established practice of rotating bureau offices on the basis of regional distribution, the officers to be elected for the 36th session will be from the regional groups as follows. The chair from the Asia-Pacific states, first vice chair from the African states, second vice chair, Eastern European states, third vice chair, Latin American and Caribbean states, and the rapporteur from the Western European and other states. I kindly invite the chairs of the regional groups to submit nominations as soon as possible and no later than the 16th of November. And now the update on FIN Gov matters. I would like to inform you that a FIN Gov briefing with the executive director will be held on the 10th of September at 1pm. I strongly encourage all delegations to attend the briefing. Allow me also to recall that the next regular FINGov meeting will be held on the 6th and 7th of October. Finally, delegations are kindly requested to submit nominations for the 2027 FINGov Bureau as soon as possible and no later than the 16th of November, and to indicate the Bureau functions corresponding to their respective regional groups, namely BEOK to nominate the chair, the African group to nominate the first vice chair, expected to become the chair in 2028, and the Asia Pacific, the EEG and the CRULAC to nominate one vice chair each. Is there any issue you would like to raise under any business? I see none. Then I thank everybody for joining us here today, and the meeting is adjourned. Thank you.