Conference of the Parties to UNTOC, 13th session [Meeting 2]

Good afternoon, dear colleagues. We will resume our work this afternoon under agenda item 1F. I now give the floor to the representative of Uzbekistan. Mr. Jobir Azimov, Deputy Director of the Agency for Drugs and Firearms Control under the administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. You have the floor, sir.

Assalamu alaikum..

Good afternoon, distinguished delegates, Mr. President. I'd like to begin by congratulating you on your election to the presidency of this 13th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Transnational Organized Crime Convention. It's a great honor for me to take the floor on behalf of Uzbekistan at this 13th session of the Conference of Parties to the UNTOC. This important international forum brings together states to develop joint solutions aimed at building a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world. On behalf of Uzbekistan, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Secretariat of UNODC, for their great professionalism and the effective organization of this session, as well as their dedication to strengthening international cooperation in combating transnational organized crime. Distinguished colleagues, the world has changed. Today, we face new forms of crime. Crime is increasingly going beyond states' borders, becoming more technological and networked, and demonstrating great capacity for adaptation. Transnational organized crime, cyber threats, trafficking in persons, corruption, terrorism, illegal drug trafficking, and environmental crimes continue to undermine our security and threaten human dignity and prevent sustainable development. Organized crime is becoming increasingly transnational in its nature and is making use of cyberspace and new technologies and complex financial mechanisms. This reality is a new reality, and it means that we need new, improved approaches and new fact-based and technology-led solutions to crime prevention and criminal justice. Based on that understanding, under the leadership of our President, His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Our country is undertaking comprehensive reforms aimed at forming an open, fair and effective system of criminal justice. Our reform is people-centred, centred on people's rights, dignity and safety. The renewed constitution of our country enshrines a key principle of our government's policy, Ambiguity, any ambiguity in the legislation should be interpreted in favor of people. That's not just words in our country, but a directly applicable legal principle. I would like to say a few words about some of the areas in which we have made concrete and measurable steps forward in meeting our international obligations. Firstly, protecting vulnerable groups and youth. In 2026, our country was the first in the region to establish criminal liability for domestic violence. At the same time, we improve mechanisms to protect victims, including the issuance of protective orders and provision of rehabilitation services. Today, women are more than 35% of the members of our parliament. We have educational and outreach programs that cover 10 million people in the area of digital safety. This allows us to protect them from exploitation on the internet and crime on the internet. Secondly, the prevention of corruption. In 2025, we carried out a structural reform of our agency to prevent corruption. And in the area of government procurement and government spending, we have implemented a smart real-time monitoring system. These measures have allowed us to mitigate risks related to the human factor and to reduce the scope for commission of crimes of corruption. In order to ensure transparency and openness and to move away from dealing with the consequences of corruption and towards timely identification and prevention of corruption, we have created compliance control units in more than 190 organizations. As a result of these measures, Uzbekistan's position in the Global Corruption Perception Index has risen by 37 places. Thirdly, prevention of transnational drug threats. Under the administration of the president, we've created an agency for narcotics and firearms control. For the first time in history, our country has a national strategy to prevent drug crime and related crimes. On the initiative of our president, The punishments for drug crimes have been made significantly more stringent. Prison time has been doubled. Uzbekistan is also one of the first countries in the region to have joined the UNODC CHAMPS Initiative, which aims to protect children and young people against drug use. Fourthly, prevention of cybercrime and organized crime. In October 2025, we were the first country in Central Asia to sign the UN Convention against Cybercrime. In March 2026, Uzbekistan adopted its strategy for cybercrime for 2026 to 2030. Additionally, in cooperation with the UNODC in Tashkent, we established an information center on transnational threats. We held the Summer Count International Forum to prevent drug threats, and Uzbekistan became a member of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Uzbekistan has also begun working with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Universal Center to Prevent Organized Crime. Distinguished delegates, all of the above is based on one strategic principle. We must not wait for crimes to be committed, we must identify the risks on a timely basis and address the roots of crime and allow countries to work together on this. In preparing to host in 2027 the 12th session of the Conference of States Parties to the UNCAC and in 2031 the 16th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Uzbekistan reiterates its commitment to bringing regional and international cooperation to a new level. This reflects our strong commitment to making maximum use of modern technologies while observing human rights and turning Central Asia into a region for enhanced regional cooperation in the sphere of criminal justice, digital safety, and environmental equity. We are looking to not just fight crime, but prevent crime. It's only with solidarity and mutual trust and concrete obligations that we will be able to build a safer and more fair world for the current generation and future generations alike. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your statement. I now give the floor to the representative, Mr. Saniab Adman Katiba, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and Legal Affairs of the Republic of Tanzania.

President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, The United Republic of Tanzania aligns itself with the statement made by Vienna-based African Group and G77 in China and would like to make the following comment in its national capacity. We are honored to participate in the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The United Republic of Tanzania reaffirms its commitment to the Convention and its protocols and recognizes UNTOC for collective action against criminal networks whose activities increasingly transcend national borders. President, allow me to also highlight the United Republic of Tanzania's engagement in the UNCTOC review mechanism. Together with Denmark, we're progressing well with the review of Austria, which has already submitted its country self-assessment report. Likewise, the review of Egypt has commenced in collaboration with Lebanon. In parallel, the United Republic of Tanzania is under review by Cambodia and Mozambique, and we have recently completed responding to our own self-assessment questionnaire. The United Republic of Tanzania has continued to strengthen its legislative framework for preventing and combating organized and transnational crime. Key instruments include the Economic and Organized Crime Control Act, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the Extradition Act, the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, the Cyber Crimes Act, the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Act, the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the Firearms and Ammunitions Control Act, the Drug Control and Enforcement Act, the Wildlife Conservation Act, the Immigration Act, the Process of Crimes Act, and Whistleblowers and Witness Protection Act. In the same note, the United Republic of Tanzania has developed several policy reforms to enable the implementation of UNTOC and its protocols thereto. These laws provide an important foundation for criminal investigations and prosecutions, mutual legal assistance, extradition, financial investigation, asset tracking and confiscation, combating trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, and environmental and wildlife-related organized crime. The United Republic of Tanzania, for effective implementation of UNTOC, strong institutions working together in range of areas including information exchange and joint investigation. Those institutions include the Tanzania Police Force, Immigration Services Department, Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service, Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau, Financial Intelligence Unit, National Prosecution Service, Drug Control and Enforcement Authority, and Wildlife Law Enforcement Authorities. President, the United Republic of Tanzania attaches the highest importance to international and regional cooperation, whereby in strengthening cooperation, continues to engage with UNODC, Interpol, SADC, EAC and EAPCCO to exchange cross-border criminal threat information and intelligence. The United Republic of Tanzania also recognizes the important technical assistance role of the UNODC in strengthening legislative frameworks, criminal justice institutions, international cooperation, border management and specialized investigative capacities. The United Republic of Tanzania proposes the conference consider the following practical priorities. First, improve the efficiency of mutual legal assistance and extradition for rapid and legally compliant exchange of information among member states. Second, strengthen international cooperation on financial investigations, asset tracing, freezing, seizure, confiscation, and recovery of process of transnational organized crime. third, increase sustainable technical assistance and capacity building, particularly in digital forensics, intelligence analysis, financial investigations, electronic evidence, asset recovery, and complex transnational investigations. Honorable President, thank you for your attention.

Thank you very much. I now give the floor to Mr. Abdullah Nazir, Minister of State for Homeland Security, Labor and Technology of the Republic of Maldives. You have the floor, sir.

Mr. President. The Republic of Maldives congratulates you on your election and expresses its appreciation to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime for convening this important conference. The Maldives reaffirms its firm commitment to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its supplementary protocols. Transitional organized crime continues to evolve in scale, sophistication, and reach. Criminal networks increasingly exploit technologies, advanced vulnerabilities in migration systems, and gaps in cross-border cooperation. No country, regardless of its size or geographical location, to remain beyond these threats. Under the leadership of President Dr. Mohamed Muizz, the government of Maldives continues to strengthen its national response through the institutional reforms, improved migration governance, and to continue laws enforcement efforts. The endorsement of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan 2026 to 2028 reflects our commitment to strengthening prevention, accountability, and protection. Through Operation Kuraangi, the government has also made significant progress in documenting its migrant workforce with approximately 95% biometric coverage, strengthening national oversight and supporting efforts to address vulnerabilities. Mr. President and Excellencies, for small island developing states such as the Maldives, geographical dispersion and limited specialized resources present particular challenges in investigating complex transnational crimes. International cooperation must therefore extend beyond commitment, commitments to practical action, including timely information sharing, effective mutual legal assistance, specialized investigative support, and accessible technical assistance. The more this calls for greater consideration of operational realities of small island developing states in implementing of the Convention. Our collective success must ultimately be measured not only by the commitment we undertake, but by our ability to translate them into effective action. The Maldives stands readily available to contribute to these shared efforts. I thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Salaam alaikum.

Thank you very much for your statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Bulgaria, His Excellency Mr. Ivan Dermetshev, Minister of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria. You have the floor, sir.

Dear Mr. President, I would first like to congratulate you, as well as all members of the Bureau, on your election and to assure you of Bulgaria's full support during your presidency of the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Bulgaria fully endorses the statement of the European Union And speaking on behalf of my country, I would like to highlight several important points from the perspective of the Republic of Bulgaria. Today, criminal groups are characterized by well-established structures, they are highly adaptable, operate across the territories of several member states and countries, and employ violence, corruption, money laundering, modern technologies, and infiltration of the legal economy. And they continue to function even after the arrest of their leaders. All these circumstances require law enforcement agencies to adapt their response immediately and effectively. Successfully combating crime requires not only neutralizing the leaders of criminal groups, but also dismantling the entire criminal infrastructure. That is why effective international cooperation is more important than ever. The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized crime and these protocols remain fundamental instruments in our collective efforts to prevent and combat organized crime, strengthen international cooperation, and ensure that no country is left to face these challenges alone. Bulgaria has recently completed step A of its UNTOC implementation review process and remains committed to taking further measures to ensure that its national legal framework fully complies with the requirements of the Convention. While we have established a solid regulatory foundation for the effective practical application of the various cooperation mechanisms, mechanisms, the rapidly evolving nature of security threats underscores the need to continuously adapt our approaches and strengthen our responses to emerging challenges. Digital transformation creates new opportunities for economic and social development, but at the same time provides criminal networks with new means to expand and refine their activities. Human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, illicit drug trafficking, terrorism, and corruption, along with emerging threats related to cybercrime and environmental crimes, pose serious transnational challenges. Effectively countering these threats requires enhanced international cooperation, better coordination among competent authorities and timely exchange of information and best practices. The fight against organized crime requires targeted efforts to address the vulnerabilities exploited by criminal networks. particularly with regard to children and young people at risk of being recruited and exploited both online and offline. Bulgaria places emphasis on early prevention, education and raising public awareness, the effective protection and support of victims and strengthening cooperation among institutions, civil society, academia, and the private sector to build a comprehensive and sustainable response to transnational organized crime. Bulgaria attaches particular importance to effective border management as part of a comprehensive approach to combating transnational organized crime. We also believe that measures against transnational organized crime must be implemented in strict compliance with international standards in the area of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Thank you for your attention.

Thank you very much for your statement. I now give the floor to Mr. Omar Saleh Al Zarani, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President.

At the outset and on behalf of the delegation of Saudi Arabia, I would like to.

Extend my wholehearted congratulations on your election and the election of the Bureau, wishing you all success in your endeavors, Mr. President, distinguished delegations.

The 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNTOC is held at a time where the world is witnessing tumultuous events and changes which require expedited efforts.

To take practical measures which are effective in order to implement the UNTOC and its protocols. Transnational organized crime has taken varied forms at the global level, and it poses threats to public health and security as well as sustainable development in member states, and it poses staggering challenges. And effectively responding to the same needs international cooperation in criminal matters as well as exchange of information, capacity building.

And upholding the sovereignty of states.

Mr. President, Saudi Arabia emphasizes that laying down the foundation of the rule of law and justice are a cornerstone for the sustainable development and the stability of communities.

Building an effective and integrated justice.

System is a mainstay for the protection of rights, maintaining human dignity, and promoting the principles of fairness. Having said that, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues the implementation of comprehensive reforms within the Saudi 2030 vision, including development of legislation and systems, as well as promoting the efficiency of criminal justice system promoting transparency and procedures. Also, we attached great importance to digital transformation, development of services, and improving the accelerated operationalization of.

Measures, especially when it comes to fraud and online scam.

And when it comes to prevention of crime, the government in Saudi Arabia continues its efforts towards awareness raising and programs to support young people and families as prevention is the most sustainable path to prevent crime. Saudi Arabia reiterates its full readiness to cooperate and contribute effectively and engage in any international effort that aims to achieve the goals of the agreement in order to achieve our desired goals, especially security and stability. Saudi Arabia commends the important work and the efforts made by the Secretariat of the Conference, as well as the translators and interpreters and all the teams of work that were established by the Conference. We appreciate the important role of the UNODC towards supporting the implementation of the UNTOC and its protocols.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to Mr. Romeo Prestosa, Special Envoy on Transnational Crime of the Philippines. You have the floor, sir.

Mr. President. Congratulations to you and the Bureau members on your election as officials of the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties of UNTOC. The Philippines also thanks the Secretariat for preparation for this conference. Consider a scam hub. At one end, a criminal organizer accumulates illicit profits. At the other, a trafficked person is forced to commit fraud, while a family thousands of miles away loses its life savings. With modern technology, transnational organized crime crosses borders in seconds and evades detection and disruption with sophistication. Transnational crimes continue to rise and evolve. The criminals behind them remain beyond the reach of justice. Our response must be timely and effective. Under the mandate of the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. The Philippines reaffirms its commitment to the fight against transnational organized crime. The Philippines therefore calls for practical measures that translate treaty obligations into effective and measurable results. We must do more to cooperate in cross-border investigations. And this includes the prompt sharing of intelligence through secure channels, the preservation of digital evidence, and the expeditious execution of mutual legal assistance upon request. We have to maximize the use of UNTAC for mutual legal assistance and extraditions and direct technical assistance toward building capabilities to do so. Bringing transnational organized crime and fugitives to justice must go hand in hand with dismantling the financial infrastructures that sustain transnational criminal networks. We must identify beneficial owners and enablers, trace illicit financial flows, freeze and confiscate criminal assets through local cooperation, and recover process for the benefit and the redress of the victims. The Philippines also stresses that effective responses against transorganized or transnational organized crime must be gender sensitive, victim-centered, and human rights-based. Cross-border criminal networks that engage in trafficking in persons and online sexual abuses and exploitation of children disproportionately impact women and girls. The Philippines, as a mega diverse country, rich in natural resources, also calls for stronger cooperation to fight transnational crimes that affect the environment, including illegal wildlife trafficking, illegal mining, and illicit waste trafficking. These offenses destroy livelihoods and drop future generations of their inheritance. Whether this claims still savings, take away. Struggling to begin again. A child recovering from trauma and the community losing the resources that sustain it. Let therefore our cooperation secure freedom for that worker, justice for that family, and for our children, a future that no criminal network can steal. Thank you and good afternoon.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to Mr. Manzur Mosad Choudhury, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh. You have the floor.

Mr. President, at the outset, allow me to join others in congratulating you on your election as the President of the 13th session of the Conference of Parties of the UNTOC. My delegation assures you and the Bureau of our full support. We also appreciate the UNODC for its continued efforts to strengthen international cooperation against transnational organized crime. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Group and the G77 and China. I would like to add the following in my national capacity. Mr. President, Bangladesh reaffirms its firm commitment to the UNTOC and its protocols.

Bangladesh attaches particular importance.

To combating.

Human trafficking and migrant smuggling, including emerging forms of exploitation in which victims are coerced into criminal activities, particularly within online scam compounds. We must ensure that victims are identified and protected rather than punished. or offenses committed as a consequence of their exploitation. Addressing deceptive recruitment, fraudulent migration arrangements, and transnational criminal networks requires stronger cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination. Bangladesh is strengthening its national legal and institutional framework to address evolving criminal threats.

The human trafficking and migrant smuggling prevention and suppression act.

2026 reinforces our approach to prevention investigation prosecution victim protection and International police cooperation we are also enhancing digital investigation forensic capabilities and intelligence-led policing to respond to cyber-enabled offences and other forms of organised crime.

Distinguished delegates.

Bangladesh believes that effective implementation of the Convention requires practical international cooperation. We call for faster exchange of criminal intelligence and electronic evidence, stronger cooperation in tracing and extraditing fugitives, and more.

Effective mechanisms for identifying, freezing, recovering, and repatriating proceeds of crime.

Cooperation with technology companies and digital service providers is also essential to ensure timely access to electronic evidence in accordance with applicable legal frameworks.

We further emphasize the need for targeted technical assistance, specialized training, and capacity building, particularly for developing countries like Bangladesh.

Support for digital forensics.

Cryptocurrency tracing, environmental crime investigations, and maritime law enforcement would strengthen our collective ability to disrupt criminal networks.

UNODC has an important role in facilitating these efforts and promoting practical cooperation among Member States. Bangladesh also recognizes the importance of prevention through community engagement, interagency coordination, public-private partnerships, and evidence-based policies.

We.

Remain committed to working with Interpol, UNODC, and our international partners to strengthen cross-border investigation and build more resilient criminal justice institutions. Mr. President.

Let us translate our commitments under the Convention into.

Tangible results through solidarity, mutual legal assistance, effective law enforcement cooperation, and meaningful support for capacity development. Together, we can deny transnational criminal networks safe havens. protect vulnerable people and uphold the rule of law. Bangladesh stands ready to work constructively with all Member States towards this shared objective.

I thank you, Mr. President.

As-salamu alaykum.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to Mr. Barinda Panasinghe, Attorney General of Sri Lanka. You have the floor.

Mr. President, I wish to express my sincere congratulations on your election as President of the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNTOC and to the.

Members of the Bureau on their election. Mr. President, Sri Lanka shares the concerns expressed.

By many delegations on the increase and serious impact of transnational organised crimes on societies. In particular, the exploitation of new and emerging technologies by criminal groups to operate across borders and evade law enforcement requires our urgent attention. We reiterate the importance of preventing and combating such crimes through well-coordinated response at national and effective international cooperation and acknowledge the importance of role of the UNTOC in this regard.

As a State party to the UNTOC and protocols to prevent, suppress.

And punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, as well as being signatory to its protocol against smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air, Sri Lanka has taken significant steps to counter such crimes.

The support of UNODC.

In this respect through technical assistance, capacity building and training programmes of law enforcement officers is appreciated. The increase in numbers of persons trafficked for the purpose of forced criminality is a cause for concern which requires urgent action and cooperation at national and international levels.

In Sri Lanka, the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force coordinates national.

Efforts with government institutions responsible for trafficking prevention, victim protection, law enforcement, prosecution and victim assistance. Sri Lanka has introduced several measures to strengthen its response to human trafficking, including the launch of the National Strategic Action Plan for Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking 2026-2030, setting framework for coordinated action over the next five years, as well as establishment of seven provincial anti-human trafficking forums as a specialised coordination mechanism to identify trafficking risks and strengthen local level responses. Great attention has been provided to emerging forms of human trafficking, including recruitment through technology and online exploitation. Specialised training of trainers programmes have been conducted for selected.

Law enforcement officers, creating card of certified instructors on trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, as well as frontline response.

Officers, creating a card of certified inspectors to strengthen first response capacities. The TIP and SOM response mechanisms at the Department of Immigration and Immigration have strengthened through enhanced capacity building, specialised training and inter-agency cooperation to improve the identification of suspected cases and facilitate appropriate responses.

As a result, Sri Lanka has retained its Tier 2 status in the.

US Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report 2026 for the fifth consecutive year.

Sri Lanka is also.

Strengthening its response to emerging forms on human trafficking, including trafficking for forced criminality in cyber scam operations. Such crimes highlight the growing intersection between transnational organized crime and technology-facilitated exploitation.

Sri Lanka recognizes the importance of strengthening early identification, victim protection and assistance, and cooperation among relevant national authorities and international partners to address these evolving challenges. With regard to the smuggling of migrants, Sri Lanka is taking steps to strengthen its legal and operational responses.

The proposed Immigration Bill represents an important development in this regard. Once enacted by Parliament, it will provide an updated legislative framework for immigration administration and border management. The Bill includes a dedicated chapter on human smuggling, covering offences related to facilitating irregular entry, organised smuggling activities, aggravated smuggling offences and documentary offences associated with these activities. It also provides for extraterritorial jurisdiction in relation to specified offenses subject to the conditions set out in the proposed legislation.

In this context, with the rapid increase of crimes committed through information and communication technology, including online scams and cyber fraud, cooperation at international level is essential.

Sri Lanka signed the UN Convention against Cybercrime in 2025 and is making preparation for its ratification. UNDOC's Support in identifying areas for potential legislative reform, institutional strengthening, enhanced mechanisms for cooperation and technical assistance is further appreciated.

It has also been proposed to hold today UNODC regional conference focusing on South Asia.

In Sri Lanka from 16 to 17 December this year to advance a comprehensive understanding of evolving cyber crime threats and strengthen international cooperation.

I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you for your statement.

The floor to representative Ms. Jane Duke, Ambassador to Counter Modern Slavery, People Smuggling and Human Trafficking of Australia.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. Australia is pleased to participate in this Conference of Parties and to reaffirm our commitment to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Australia expects all States Parties to UNTOC to adhere to the Convention in good faith. At a time of profound disruption, international instability exacerbates human vulnerability and creates conditions that transnational criminal networks willingly exploit. Criminal networks are utilising technology at pace and with agility, seeking to take advantage of vulnerabilities across jurisdictions and to undermine our collective resilience. Cross-border in nature, we cannot respond to this challenge without strong partnerships and relationships. This Convention remains central to coordinating effective international responses and cooperation. Distinguished delegates, Since the last Conference of Parties, Australia has continued to strengthen implementation of the Convention, both domestically and through international partnerships, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. In the Pacific, Australia has strengthened regional cooperation against transnational organised crime by endorsing the Pacific-led Whangamoa Initiative, a maritime security initiative to combat illicit drug trafficking, and will support its implementation through a $600 million package. In Southeast Asia, Australia supports Mekong countries in their efforts to tackle serious threats, including drug trafficking, child sexual exploitation and financial crimes under the Mekong-Australia Partnership on Transnational Crime. Domestically, Australia has introduced a range of legislative and policy reforms to strengthen our response to evolving threats posed by transnational organised crime, violent extremism and hate-based offences. Australia has introduced reforms to ensure our dedicated National Criminal Intelligence Agency is equipped with the appropriate powers to counter increasingly complex criminal threats. Australia targets the profit motive that drives serious and organised crime, including the illicit tobacco trade, and is strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks. These reforms enhance our ability to disrupt the illicit financing, concealment and reinvestment of criminal proceeds. Distinguished delegates, Human trafficking and other forms of modern slavery remain among the most harmful and profitable forms of transnational crime globally. Technological advances and the growing reach of social media have expanded opportunities for exploitation, with women and girls disproportionately affected. Trafficking for forced criminality, including into online scam centres, is the fastest growing form of human trafficking globally. Australia is working closely with regional partners to disrupt transnational scam syndicates operating across Southeast Asia, including through Operation Firestorm. This is an Australian Federal Police-led initiative that targets the criminal networks, infrastructure, and illicit finance underpinning cyber-enabled fraud and forced criminality. Combating online scam centers remains a key priority, including for the Bali Process, which Australia co-chairs with Indonesia and marks its 25th anniversary next year. Distinguished delegates, Transnational organized crime is increasingly borderless, digitally enabled, and interconnected. Our responses must be equally coordinated and proactive. The convention and its protocols provide a vital framework for collective action, supporting inclusive and rights-based approaches that engage governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Australia looks forward to participating and engaging constructively through this week's deliberations and to working with all parties to strengthen our collective response to transnational organized crime. Thank you.

Thank you for your intervention. Now I give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Andriyanik Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the International Organizations in Vienna.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Allow me to begin by congratulating you, distinguished President, and other officers of the Conference on your election. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation for the honor of serving as a Vice President of this session of the Conference. We further extend our gratitude to the Secretariat for its valuable work in preparing and facilitating this session. The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols remain essential instruments in our collective efforts to prevent and combat transnational organized crime. At a time when criminal networks increasingly operate across borders, exploit technological advances and adapt rapidly to new realities, Effective responses require not only strong and modern national institutions, but also robust and relevant international cooperation and the sustained and timely exchange of information. Mr. President, Armenia continues to strengthen its national capacities to prevent and combat transnational organized crime. In recent years, we have made significant strides in countering corruption in Armenia. In addressing trafficking in persons, particular attention is given to the early identification of victims and individuals at risk, the prevention of child exploitation, and enhanced cooperation among law enforcement authorities, civil societies, and educational institutions. Armenia also attaches particular importance to strengthening operational capacities to combat the illicit trafficking in firearms, their parts and components, and ammunition. In this regard, the participation of Armenian police officers in the international operation Trigger X, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, conducted in Armenia this year, as well as in related trainings organized by Interpol, have contributed to strengthening international expertise in fire and identification, investigative techniques, and the use of international information systems. Combating the smuggling of migrants remain another important priority. Evolving migration routes and the transnational nature of criminal networks associated with it underscore the need for a proactive and coordinated approach. In this context, Armenia strengthens its cooperation with Europol through the use of a secure information exchange network application, facilitating more effective information exchange and operational coordination. Armenia is also pursuing reforms to strengthen migration management, document security, and border control. Mr. President, Armenia remains deeply concerned about the threat posed by the transnational organized crime. As one of the world's ancient nations, with a cultural heritage spanning thousands of years, Armenia advocates for strengthened international efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property and related offenses. We are also concerned about the financing of terrorism and recruitment, which pose serious challenges to international peace, security, and the rule of law. Mr. President, Armenia remains firmly committed to contributing actively to our collective efforts and stands ready to further strengthen cooperation with all partners in pursuit of preventing and combating transnational organized crime. Mr. President, due to time limits, I will stop here and we will distribute our statement in a written form. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Armenia. Now I will give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Song Li,

Permanent Representative of China to the International Organizations in Vienna.

Mr. President. The Chinese delegation congratulates you on your election as the President of the current session of the Conference of Parties to the UNCTAD. We believe that under your able leadership and with the strong support of the Secretariat, this session will be a complete success. China associates itself with the Ambassador of India's statement on behalf of G77 and China. Mr. President, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government uphold a people-centered development philosophy pursue law-based governance in all respects, resolutely combat all types of illegal and criminal activities, strengthen the capacity to combat new forms of cyber crime and transnational cross-regional crimes, and promote the initiative of building a safe China to a higher level. The outline of the 15th five-year plan for national economic and social development adopted in March this year also lists the building of a safe China at a higher level as a key objective and important task for economic and social development during the 15th five-year plan period. So sustained efforts over the years, China has maintained one of the lowest crime rates globally, making it one of the safest countries in the world with a public perception of safety remaining at 98% for five consecutive years since 2020. Safe China has become a shining hallmark recognized around the world. While properly managing its own affairs, China remains firmly a defender of international order and a provider of public goods. We cooperate closely with relevant countries in combating transnational crimes. In a historic first, the police forces of China, the U.S. and UAE cooperated to combat telecom fraud. dismantling nine scam centers and apprehending 276 criminal suspects. Leveraging the Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center, we have deepened regional security cooperation with Vietnam. Officially joining the center in April this year, we have established mechanisms including the China-East Africa Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement and Security, China-Central Asia Meeting of Ministers of Security and Internal Affairs, and the China-Pacific Island Countries Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement Capacity and Police Cooperation. We actively participate in cooperation mechanisms such as the Southeast Asia Justice Network and work to provide capacity support, capacity-building support to relevant developing countries. In addition, China was among the first signatories to the UN Convention against Cybercrime and is steadily moving forward its domestic ratification process. In September this year, China also successfully hosted the inaugural conference of the International Alliance Against Telecom and Online Fraud, contributing China's latest insights to international anti-fraud cooperation. China will work closely with all parties to contribute our wisdom and strength to forging greater synergy against crime and improving global governance. Mr. President, today, traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined with each other. Organized crime has become more diverse and transnational. Consequently, working together to combat cross-border crime and safeguard global security and stability has become a shared responsibility for all nations. In September, Last year, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative. Its five core concepts provide valuable guidance for international crime-fighting cooperation to overcome disruption and make steady, sustained progress. First, stay committed to sovereign equality. The sovereignty and political systems of all countries must be respected. International cooperation against crime must be conducted on an equal footing, and long-arm jurisdiction must not be arbitrarily applied under the pretext of law enforcement. We must uphold the Vienna spirit of consensus, pursue common interests and win-win cooperation, and stop inciting confrontation and side-taking. Second, stay committed to the international rule of law. We must uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, faithfully fulfill our treaty obligations, and reject selective compliance. The provisions of the convention must be implemented fully and effectively, and cooperation on extradition and mutual legal assistance should be conducted in a flexible and practical manner. We should avoid selective enforcement or cooperation driven by self-interest, thereby ensuring that no safe haven is granted to transnational criminals on any grounds. Third, stay committed to multilateralism. We must uphold the authority and role of the UN and the convention, and small yards and high fences must not be in the name of international crime fighting cooperation, which are the stress and coordination between the UN anti-crime initiatives and bodies like the BRICS and G20 and relevant regional mechanisms, and we welcome all countries to actively participate in the international alliance against telecom and online fraud. We must uphold the international intergovernmental nature of the implementation review mechanism so that it is genuinely promotes the effective implementation of the Convention and refrain from country rankings or political manipulation under the guise of implementing review, implementation review, for us to stay committed to a people-centered approach, we must fully recognize that transnational crime undermine fairness and justice. We should actively engage in international cooperation against crime to better respond to aspirations of people in all countries for fairness and justice, while effectively safeguarding sustainable economic and social development. We must respect the technical assistance needs of developing countries and supporting capacity building efforts without attaching political conditions, let alone interfering in their domestic affairs. If stay committed to result oriented approach, we must continuously improve the efficiency of extradition and MLA while opposing double standards for the creation or the creation of barriers under the pretext of different, the political and legal systems, in particular with regards to the return of criminal assets. Some concrete measures should be taken to reduce political and legal barriers so that assets concerned can be returned to their rightful owners. Mr. President, this year marks the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the UN. For more than half a century, China has consistently upheld the true multilateralism and devoted itself to advancing international cooperation across all sectors. Going forward, China will continue to work alongside all nations, making unremitting efforts to steadily improve the global crime governance system and making greater contributions towards building a community with a shared future for mankind featuring universal security. Thank you.

Mr. Yaya Ratnam, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the International Organizations in Vienna.

Mr President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Singapore warmly congratulates His Excellency Ambassador Gabriel Orenna Sabasaga on his appointment as President of this Conference. We thank the UNODC for their efforts to support Member States in implementing the Convention and strengthening international cooperation against transnational organised crime. The transnational organised crime continues to evolve rapidly, with criminal networks increasingly exploiting emerging technologies to operate across borders. Mr President, for Singapore, transnational scam crime is an area of concern. According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, scammers stole over USD400 billion in 2025. Singapore is not immune to this threat. Singapore has implemented several initiatives to combat scams. For example, we developed the ScamShield mobile application to help protect the public by alerting users to scams and enabling users to report suspected scam-related phone numbers and communications to the police for follow-up. Given the nature of transnational crimes, no country can address it alone. Singapore remains committed to working closely with our regional and international partners As ASEAN voluntary lead shepherd for cybercrime and online scams, Singapore leads the development of an ASEAN Declaration on Cybercrime and Online Scams in September 2025 to deepen law enforcement coordination to tackle cybercrime and online scams. As part of our international cooperation efforts, Singapore participated in the Interpol-led Operation First Light this year. This global anti-fraud operation resulted in the arrest of close to 6,000 individuals, the interception of US$293 million in illicit assets, and the identification of more than 142,000 victims worldwide. In one case, the Singapore Police Force worked with the authorities in Oman through Interpol's I-Grip mechanism to block a US$6.6 million fraudulent transfer. Singapore is also a member of Frontier Plus, which brings together anti-scam centre representatives from 15 jurisdictions for coordinated intelligence sharing and enforcement. Most recently, a coordinated operation resulted in over 3,000 arrests and the seizure of more than US$161 million. These efforts reflect Singapore's continued commitment to enhance our capabilities, adapt to the evolving crime landscape, and work with our partners to strengthen our collective response against criminal threats. Mr President, the Convention gives us an important framework for this cooperation, and Singapore will work closely with UNODC, Interpol, and the international community to combat transnational organised crime and better protect our communities.

Thank you.

Thank you, Your Excellency. Now I give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Cynthia Chidiak, Permanent Representative of Lebanon to International Organizations in Vienna.

Do you have the floor?

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I have the honor to deliver the statement on behalf of the UNODC Group of Friends on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment. The Group of Friends of Gender reaffirms that gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls are essential to the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols. The broad and sustained engagement of Member States and the Friends of Gender demonstrates that gender-responsive approaches continue to be a priority for a large, diverse, and cross-regional group of States. The Group of Friends of Gender also recognizes the considerable progress achieved by UNODC in recent years in embedding gender perspectives across its work on crime prevention and criminal justice. The adoption and implementation of the UNOV/UNODC Gender Strategy, the development of dedicated tools and guidance for Member States, and increased efforts to generate sex-disaggregated data and analysis have helped demonstrate that gender-responsive approaches lead to more informed policy-making and more effective responses to organized crime. We encourage UNODC to continue supporting Member States, upon request, through practical guidance, capacity building and technical assistance in that regard. Mr. President, organized crime affects individuals and communities in different ways. Gender inequalities, discrimination, and unequal access to resources, protection, and justice can increase vulnerability to exploitation by criminal groups and may shape individuals' experiences as victims, witnesses, and criminal justice actors. Addressing these realities strengthens our collective capacity to prevent crimes, protect affected persons, and deliver effective criminal justice response. We underscore the importance of systematically integrating gender perspectives throughout the implementation of the Convention and its protocols, as well as across the work of the Conference and its subsidiary bodies. Gender responsiveness is not a separate consideration, but an integral component of effective efforts to prevent and combat transnational organized crime. That is why we encourage Member States to consider gender-responsive approaches in the development of legislation, policies, programmes and strategies aimed at preventing and combating organised crime. We further highlight the importance of strengthening the collection, analysis and use of data disaggregated by sex and, when appropriate, gender. Evidence-based policy making is essential to understanding the differentiated impacts of organized crime and to designing responses that are effective, inclusive and sustainable. Finally, we recognize the value of promoting the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation and leadership of women across criminal justice institutions and decision-making processes. Diverse and inclusive institutions are better equipped to address complex security challenges and to respond to the needs of all members of the society. The Group of Friends of Gender remains ready to continue working with Member States, UNODC and relevant partners to promote practical, balanced and effective approaches that advance gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and the implementation of the Convention and its protocols. I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much for your statement.

Now I give the floor to Mr.

Gustavo Villarroel, Minister-Counselor of the Permanent Mission of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to international organizations in Vienna.

You have the floor.

Thank you, President, honorable delegates. I am going to summarize our statement. The full statement has been shared with the Secretariat. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela extends its congratulations to the President and the members of the Bureau and the Secretariat for the organization and the preparation of this 13th session of the Conference of Parties to UNCTOC. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela aligns itself with the statements delivered by the G77 and China, as well as GRULAC, and in its national capacity, wishes to make the following remarks. We express our concern that crime at global level is increasingly transnational, organized, and complex. Criminal groups are using modern technologies, digital platforms, and financial mechanisms to conduct illicit activities. creating unprecedented challenges in what is being referred to as contemporary crime and emerging forms of criminality. They call for effective, tangible action at national, regional, and multilateral levels, taking into account common and shared responsibility of all states. We reaffirm the fundamental role of UNTOC and its protocols as cornerstones of the international legal framework for combating transnational organized crime. Recalling that since its adoption, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has focused its efforts on promoting full, transparent and effective implementation of this legal framework, alongside measures aimed at strengthening international cooperation mechanisms, mutual legal assistance and information exchange. always in strict adherence to the principles of sovereignty, sovereign equality of states, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs. Venezuela highlights the work carried out by the open-ended intergovernmental working group of UNTOC on firearms, technical assistance, international cooperation, trafficking in persons, and smuggling of migrants. Following meetings throughout 2026, recommendations of a voluntary measure nature were adopted which states may implement where appropriate and feasible in accordance with international obligations including the United Nations Convention against transnational organized crime and its protocols as well as their national legislation. President, Venezuela emphasizes that prevention must occupy a central role in strategies in combating organized crime in accordance with national legislation of states with full respect for the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in internal matters. This calls for promotion of public policies aimed at reducing social and economic vulnerabilities that may be exploited by criminal organizations while simultaneously strengthening states' institutions capacities. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates that unilateral coercive measures have a negative impact on the institutional capacities of states. They limit access to essential resources, needing to strengthen prevention programs and efforts to combat various forms of criminal activities. It is imperative to raise awareness of how these UCMs restrict human development and technical cooperation, thereby affecting operational scope of public policies without diminishing the commitments to the mandates of the Convention. We reiterate that there is need to promote, upon the request of states, technical assistance, knowledge transfer and international cooperation, particularly for developing countries, thereby enabling a balanced and effective implementation of the provisions of the Convention. Finally, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms its willingness to continue working constructively with State parties and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the effective implementation of UNTOC and its protocols.

Thank you very much, President.

Thank you for your statement. Now I give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Atsushi Kaifu, Permanent Representative of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. I congratulate you on your appointment and appreciate your dedicated effort together with your team. Mr. President, what are we fighting to protect? Fighting transnational organized crime is about more than suppressing crime. It is about protecting people's safety, freedom, and opportunity to shape their own futures. Criminal organizations cross borders and undermine legitimate economies. No country can confront them alone. The UN UNTOC provides our common foundation for effective international cooperation. But a common foundation must be made to work. Japan calls for the effective implementation of the Convention and its review mechanisms. Where necessary and appropriate, the review process should also enable constructive exchanges on the reservations made by States under review, including their implications for Convention's effective implementation. The objective must be clear to ensure that the Convention works in practice, not merely on paper. This is how we strengthen our common legal framework, not only in principle, but in practice. How does Japan turn this commitment into action? Japan acts on three fronts. First, combating online scams. Fraud compounds are not merely centers of financial crime. They are hubs of organized crime involving cybercrime, trafficking in persons, forced labor, money laundering, torture, and corruption. They also pose risks of terrorist and proliferation financing. threatening national, regional, and international peace and security. In Japan, both reported special fraud cases and financial losses reached record highs. In 2025, Japan is strengthening international investigative cooperation and calls for effective implementation of the fraud resolution jointly tabled by Japan, United States, and United Kingdom, and adopted by consensus at the 35th CCPCJ. Second, strengthening the capacity to respond. Japan works with UNODC and other partners to strengthen law enforcement and criminal justice capacity. The UNAFEI, the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, plays a significant role in these efforts. This May, UNAFEI brought together police officers and prosecutors from Asia, Africa and South America for practical training in cybercrime and cryptocurrency-related offences, including crypto-asset tracing and electronic evidence collection. Thirdly, strengthening maritime law enforcement. Organized crimes groups exploit maritime routes, threatening legitimate trade and regional prosperity. In partnership with UNODC, Japan supports maritime domain awareness, law enforcement, and criminal justice responses in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, while extending assistance to other regions. Mr. President, our shared responsibility goes beyond bringing criminals to justice. It is to ensure that the people, not criminal organizations, people determine their own futures. With UNTOC as our common foundation, Japan will continue to work with international partners to protect people's safety, dignity, and freedom, and to build a more secure and prosperous future for all. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Her Excellency, Ms. Dato Fenny Anak Noli, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Mr. President, Malaysia congratulates you on your election as President of this Conference and assure you of our full support. We associate ourselves with the statement delivered by the Group of 77 and China and the Asia-Pacific Group. Mr. President, Transnational organized crime is becoming increasingly sophisticated, exploiting digital technologies, financial systems, and gaps in cross-border enforcement. The growing link between trafficking in person, migrant smuggling, online fraud and money laundering demand coordinated and decisive action. The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime remains indispensable to our collective response. We must translate commitments into action through stronger institutions, effective law enforcement, mutual legal assistance and sustainable international cooperation. Malaysia is particularly concerned about trafficking in person for forced criminality in online scam operations. Victims are deceived by employment offers and coerced into committing fraud. Stronger cross-border investigation, Timely information sharing and cooperation in securing evidence must go hand in hand with the identification and protection of victims. Prevention is equally vital. Malaysia's engagement with UNODC includes the Stay Safe in Digital Space Forum held in Kuala Lumpur on 2nd and 3rd October 2026 to strengthen public awareness and resilience against cybercrime, online scam and digital exploitation. Our National AI Nation Plan 2026 to 2022 2030 promotes the responsible development, adoption and governance of artificial intelligence. Having signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime on 25 October 2025, Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to its objective. Regionally, Malaysia continues to strengthen ASEAN cooperation, including as the voluntary lead shepherd on combating people smuggling. Malaysia remains committed to working with all partners to strengthen collective capabilities and deliver practical, coordinated, and sustained responses to transnational organised crime. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Abbas Bagherpour Adekhani, Director General for International Legal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. The full version of the statement has been provided to the Secretariat to be uploaded to the website. Allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your deserved election and to express our appreciation to the Secretariat for the preparation for this session of the COP. Iran approaches the work of this conference of the parties with the practical objectives, including to strengthen effective implementation of the Convention. improve international cooperation, respond to emerging forms of organized crime, and ensure that the needs and priorities of all states are properly reflected. As organized criminal groups keep adapting rapidly, Iran has continued to strengthen its related legislative, judicial, and law enforcement capacities in response to these challenges. Under our Islamic penal code, not only membership in organized criminal groups is criminalized, But also more stringent provisions are in place for ancillary offences, legal person liability and a comprehensive confiscation regime. For serious crimes such as money laundering and terrorist financing, legal frameworks have been substantially reinforced. The required legal basis for providing a wide range of MLA, including on asset recovery, is established and the Ministry of Justice has been designated as central authority.

In accordance with Article 18 of the Convention.

Besides, Iran's Crime Prevention Act of 2011 sets out a framework for national crime prevention overseen by Iran's Supreme Council for Crime Prevention, encompassing research and analysis, public engagement and policy development. Up-to-date technological tools for prevention and detection have also been developed. Thus, Iran has not merely adopted laws on paper, but translated commitment into action. Mr. President, no State can effectively combat transnational organized crime in isolation. International cooperation is indispensable and it must be genuine and conducted in good faith with due attention to the priorities of developing countries. Technical assistance should be demand-driven, free from discrimination and political conditionality, and should include meaningful transfer of technology. Mr. President, since the conference was last convened Iran has been facing new pattern of grave breaches of international law in 2025 and in 2026. It began with deliberate acts of aggression in flagrant violation of Yuzkogan's. When it failed, it took the form of a naval and aerial blockade.

Then transformed into an economic terrorism against all Iranian citizens around the globe.

Alongside the devastating human loss, and destruction of civilian infrastructure, they have inflicted severe damage on Iran's institutions for effectively combating crime and engaging in meaningful international cooperation.

In conclusion, Mr. President, we continue to work with other State Parties.

And UNODC toward a more effective collaborative implementation of the Convention, and we support a balanced and consensus-driven approach.

Where necessary, existing mechanisms.

Should be made more effective, while unnecessary duplication, institutional fragmentation, politicization, and the creation of obligations beyond the agreed treaty.

Framework should be avoided.

I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Andrew Williams, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the international organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President and distinguished delegates. New Zealand reaffirms its strong commitment to the Convention and its protocols. Transnational organized crime undermines the rule of law, community safety, economic development, and national security. It is increasingly adaptive, sophisticated, and enabled by technology. No country can address these challenges alone. New Zealand's response is guided by our transnational serious and organised crime strategy and action plan, which brings together law enforcement, border, regulatory, and policy agencies to identify opportunities for maximum disruption and coordinated action. We are strengthening measures to target organised crime and the illicit profits that sustain it. including through enhanced asset recovery, anti-money laundering measures, border security, and enforcement tools. We also recognise that transnational organised crime is a regional challenge. Across the Pacific, criminal groups exploit geographic isolation and increasing connectivity. Communities are affected by illicit drug trafficking, cyber-enabled crime, illicit financial flows, trafficking in persons, and environmental crime. President, New Zealand remains committed to preventing and combating trafficking in persons, people smuggling, forced labour, slavery, and related exploitation. We are progressing a new national action plan on trafficking in persons and have strengthened our legislation to better align with the Palermo Protocols and improve protection for vulnerable people. Mr. President, New Zealand also attaches particular importance to the UNTOC review mechanism As both a reviewed and reviewing State Party, we value the opportunity to exchange expertise, identify practical improvements and strengthen implementation of the Convention. We encourage all State Parties to participate fully in the mechanism. discussions continue on UNODC reform, New Zealand supports efforts to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the office, while ensuring that Pacific Island countries' perspectives remain visible and reflected in its work. We also emphasise the importance of strong analytical and research capabilities to support evidence-based responses to evolving criminal threats. Mr. President, international cooperation remains fundamental. The conventions frameworks for mutual legal assistance, extradition, law enforcement cooperation, joint investigations, and information sharing are essential tools for ensuring that organised criminal groups cannot exploit jurisdictional boundaries. New Zealand will continue to work closely with partners across the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the wider Indo-Pacific, including through the Bali Process. Organised crime continues to evolve. Criminal networks are increasingly adaptive, technologically sophisticated, and interconnected across borders. We must continue to address cyber-enabled crime, online criminal markets, illicit financial flows, environmental crime, and the misuse of emerging technologies, while targeting the enablers that facilitate this criminal activity. Our response must be practical, evidence-based, and grounded in human rights, the rule of law, and effective safeguards. In closing, New Zealand reiterates its strong commitment to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols. We look forward to working with States Parties and partners throughout this conference to advance practical, effective, and cooperative responses to the shared challenges we face. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Mustafa Kibaroglu, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Good afternoon, President.

Allow me to congratulate the.

Your election as President of the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

We would like to express our support to you for a successful conclusion of the session. We would also like to thank the Secretariat for their efforts in organizing this meeting. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, good afternoon.

As crime becomes increasingly complex, transnational and technology-driven, strengthening information sharing.

Institutional coordination and international cooperation is more important than ever.

Turkey's organized crime strategy focuses on both the criminal acts and the networks that fund them.

Identifying illicit assets, uncovering money laundering methods, and breaking down the financial structures of these organizations are essential pillars of our law enforcement response.

Turkey attaches great importance to regional and international cooperation in fighting against organized crime.

In this regard, we work in.

Close coordination with the UNODC and is pleased to host its regional office for Southeastern Europe, ROSE.

And remain committed to supporting its capacity-building efforts, including through the Turkish International Academy Against Drugs and Organized Crime.

Namely Turkish Akademi TADOK.

Mr. President, terrorism, organized crime, corruption, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and terrorist financing are increasingly interconnected. Our response must therefore be comprehensive, coordinated, and international.

Turkey has been fighting terrorism.

In all its forms and manifestations for decades, including terrorist organizations such as FETÖ, the PKK, Al-Qaeda, Daesh.

And 17 November, ASALA.

Turkey calls for stronger.

Intelligence sharing, law enforcement, and judicial cooperation, as well as effective measures to disrupt terrorist financing and.

The illicit financial networks sustaining terrorist organizations.

At the same time, criminal and terrorist groups are increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and cyberspace for recruitment, propaganda, financing, and other illicit activities.

We must strengthen international cooperation against cybercrime, including through effective implementation of relevant international instruments.

And enhance cooperation in the investigation and sharing of electronic evidence. The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime provides an important framework in this regard. Mr. President, Turkey continues to combat irregular migration, migrant smuggling and human trafficking, and believes migration management requires a comprehensive.

Global approach based on equitable and sustainable burden sharing that also addresses its root causes.

Turkey continues to face migration pressures from its region and beyond, currently providing temporary protection to approximately 2.2 million Syrians. Meanwhile, we remain firmly committed to preventing irregular migration. We apprehended 160,253 irregular migrants and 11,588 smugglers in 2025, and 102,000 13,026 irregular migrants and 10,382 smugglers this year as of October this month, 2026. Turkey also attaches great importance to combating human trafficking. Our comprehensive legal and administrative framework encompasses prevention, protection, prosecution, and international cooperation. Turkey also works closely with civil society to protect and assist victims.

Mr. President, Turkey is committed to preventing the illicit use of cultural artifacts in transnational organized crime and money laundering.

To address the trafficking of cultural property, we actively share our expertise and deliver.

Training support through joint projects with UNODC.

Turkey will continue to work resolutely with its international partners to build safer, more just and resilient societies.

Finally, Mr. President, the full implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its.

Protocols by all States Parties remains essential.

We will continue to support the Convention's implementation review mechanism and its operation in accordance with its rules of procedure. The full version of our statement will be conveyed to the Secretariat.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Rapulane Molekane, Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa to the international organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Mr. President, Excellencies and distinguished delegates, South Africa congratulate you on your election as President of the 13th session of Intergovernmental Forum on Trade Negotiations, as well as members of the Bureau, and commend the Secretariat for the excellent work done in preparing for this conference. South Africa aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Africa Group and the Group of 77 and China, respectively. South Africa is pleased that at the recently held Crime Congress, the global community adopted the Abu Dhabi Declaration, which we hope will rekindle the spirit of cooperation, solidarity and multilateralism that this conference will consolidate. We call upon all States Parties to ensure the effective implementation of that declaration. President, South Africa's Constitution, a cornerstone of our democracy founded on human dignity, equality and justice, is 30 years old. We celebrate this great achievement that defined us as a democracy. This milestone underscores the link between constitutional values and the fight against transnational organized crime. In this regard, Mr. President, we take this opportunity to congratulate one of our eminent citizens, a global public servant who has contributed tirelessly to the world, a renowned jurist, Dr. Navi Pillay, on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. President, Transnational organized crime continues to grow in scale and sophistication. Criminal groups exploit artificial intelligence, social media, and cryptocurrencies to expand their reach, conceal illicit proceeds, and perpetrate all manner of crimes. South Africa stresses the need to leverage innovation responsibly, recognizing both risks and opportunities, and reaffirms its support for combating cybercrime through the ratification and effective implementation of the Cybercrime Convention. Mr. President, South Africa is advancing a comprehensive and organized anti-organized crime strategy that integrates law enforcement, intelligence, and community engagement to dismantle networks and disrupt illicit markets, recognizing that transnational organized crime requires coordinated responses. Border management and law enforcement have been reinforced to strengthen border security and to cap transnational organized crime. Illegal mining and illicit trading in precious stones cost South Africa billions of dollars annually, posing grave economic and security threats. National efforts alone cannot combat these transnational crimes and associated with degrading our environmental heritage. South Africa calls for an additional mechanism on crimes that affect the environment under UN transorganized crime to establish a universal framework for prevention, cooperation, and disruption of this criminal crime that also fuels illicit financial flows. South Africa firmly support UNTOC as an essential tool in our global fight against transnational organized crime. Without UNTOC as an essential tool strengthening international cooperation, international cooperation is doomed in upholding and respecting obligations under international law is weakened. While we are in full support for the review, and streamlining of the methods of work and implementation of UNODC and all its entities, we believe and hold the view that a State Party-led review should be undertaken to determine what has worked, We need our own UNAT processes in Vienna to dissect all functions, mandate structures, and entities of the UNODC instead of a piecemeal approach that will amount to putting a band-aid on a gushing wound. South Africa is hosting a side event on the 20th at 1:00 p.m. We hope to see you there. We look forward to welcoming State Parties to our International Conference on Access to Justice taking place from 11 to the 13th November 2026 in Sand City, South Africa. Chair, we assure you and all delegation a constructive engagement during this conference. I thank you.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Vasco Musha Samupofu, Permanent Representative of Namibia to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Mr. President, Namibia delegation joins other delegations in congratulating you on your election as President of this Thirteenth Session Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. We also congratulate the outgoing President, Ndizebwe, for the sterling work during that term of office. Namibia also congratulates Dr. Monica Juma, Executive Director of UNODC, and the Secretariat for the work they have done in terms of preparing for this session. Namibia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Group of 77 and China and the Africa Group, respectively. At the outset, I wish to express Namibia's commitment to the implementation of the UNTOC and the protocols thereto. The Convention, for us, remains an important framework for strengthening international cooperation against criminal activities that transcend national borders and undermine public safety, the rule of law, and sustainable development. Our commitment further extends to the strengthening of capacity of frontline personnel and implementation of the national initiatives aimed at preventing, protecting, and prosecution. In this regard, allow me to commend the UNODC for the continuous support to Namibia, and we urge them to continue rendering such support to all Member States to fully address gaps and challenges identified during the implementation of the Convention and Protocols. Mr. President, in an effort to coordinate anti-trafficking responses, protect civilians of trafficking and prosecute traffickers, Namibia continues to strengthen the implementation of the National Action Plan of Combating of trafficking in person for the period 2023-2027, national referral mechanism and standard operation procedures to guide stakeholders in assisting victims and support specialized judicial law enforcement units. Additionally, government and stakeholders continue to intensify national initiatives such as the public awareness campaigns. That includes commemoration of the International World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, community and youth engagements aimed at creating more awareness and promoting available services that are provided by government. Despite this progress, Mr. President, Namibia still requires technical assistance to mainstream gender in the implementation of the protocol, strengthen capacity of frontline personnel and government officials. Mr. President, Namibia aligns itself with the collective commitment to strengthen international cooperation in preventing and combating transnational organized crime. Namibia recognizes that criminal networks increasingly operate across national borders, exploiting differences in legal systems, jurisdictional limitations, and gaps in international cooperation. No state can effectively address the challenge in isolation. Namibia, therefore, reaffirms the policies of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime Particular articles 13, 16 and 18 concern the international cooperation for confiscation, extradition and mutual legal assistance, respectively. Their effective implementation is essential to ensure that criminal investigations do not end at national borders and that the perpetrators cannot evade justice by moving between jurisdictions. Namibia underscores the The combating of organised crime requires not only the prosecution of offenders, but also the identification, freezing, seizure and confiscation of criminal proceeds and the instrumentalities. Information exchange, cooperation among relevant authorities, including financial intelligence units, where appropriate, can help strengthen financial investigations and asset recovery. Namibia's International Cooperation in Criminal Matters Act 9 of Act 9 of 2000 provides mechanism for seeking assistance abroad in enforcing confiscation orders and for registering and enforcing qualifying foreign confiscation orders in Namibia. In conclusion, Mr. President, we look forward to engaging and also to help in terms of... In conclusion, Mr. President, I just want to state that we look forward to working with INRDC for the implementation of the Convention. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency Yacouba Cisse, Permanent Representative of Cote d'Ivoire to the international organizations in Vienna.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Chairperson. I am Kwasi Bernard. I am Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Justice of Cote d'Ivoire. And I'm taking the floor on behalf of Kouassi Bernard, who has not been able to be here. And I'd like to begin by addressing to you, Mr. President, the warm congratulations of my delegation on your election to chair this 13th session. we commend the Secretariat of UNODC for the efforts made to prepare our work. We stand ready to support you as you discharge your mission. My delegation endorses the statements by the African Group and the G77 and China, which were delivered respectively by Ghana and India. We wish to make the following statement in our national capacity. President, It cannot be repeated often enough: transnational organized crime poses a major threat to peace, security, the rule of law, and the development of our countries. Its ramifications in the form of illicit trafficking, trafficking in persons, cybercrime, and crimes against the environment demand a collective, coordinated and resolute response, and above all, that each State individually should obtain all possible means to meet the challenges of this global scourge. Cote d'Ivoire has adopted legislation in 2022 to counter illicit drug trafficking and use, and in 2024, we overhauled our criminal code, our criminal procedural code, and MLA and extradition procedures in criminal cases. My country has also undertaken major institutional reforms to enhance measures to combat money laundering, financial offenses, and illicit trafficking. Crucial to this effort is the economic and financial crime judicial hub, our specialized jurisdiction for economic and financial crime, and also our FIU and AGRAC, our criminal asset recovery and management body. In terms of trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants, our country continues with its efforts of prevention, of victim protection, and of suppression of criminal networks as part of our national strategy for the period 2026 to 2030. Cote d'Ivoire remains particularly attentive to new forms of crime, namely those that make use of digital technologies and those that harm the environment. President, Given the scale and complexity of transnational organized crime, Cote d'Ivoire emphasizes that international judicial cooperation is essential to effective criminal justice. With this in mind, and firmly believing that no country alone can tackle the challenges of crime that crosses borders, our country works to strengthen judicial solidarity among states. Our commitment takes the form of concrete action. Since January 2025, Cote d'Ivoire has addressed to its international partners 118 MLA requests, of which 68 were for money laundering, 20 were for terrorist financing, and 30 were for related offenses. These figures point to our determination to make international judicial cooperation into a key lever for combating transnational organized crime. President, we rest firm in our belief that our effectiveness is contingent upon cooperation between states. For this reason, we encourage enhanced use of MLA, extradition, information sharing, and joint investigations and criminal asset recovery. We also call for strengthened technical assistance and capacity building for developing countries so as to allow them to fully implement the convention and its protocols. President, I'd like to conclude by reiterating our firm commitment to the objectives of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and our readiness to work together with all States Parties, UNODC, and our international technical partners to work with them on efforts to prevent and effectively combat this scourge. Thank you.

Thank you for your intervention, and I'm sorry for the mix-up with the name in the speakers list.

Now I would give the floor to Ms. Kung Lee, Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Korea.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. In recent years, transnational organized crime has become a severe threat to our societies. Fraud committed through skin compounds is no longer a stand-alone offense. It has evolved into a complex criminal ecosystem that combines trafficking in persons, forced labor, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Advances in technologies has merged cyberspace and the physical world as venues of crime. Criminal activities can now cross borders within seconds, even threatening national security. At the same time, the laundering of criminal proceeds through virtual assets is becoming ever more sophisticated, designed to evade tracing by law enforcement authorities. To respond effectively, our investigative frameworks cannot remain confined to traditional approaches. UNTOC is the most powerful tool we have for bringing fragmented information together and closing gaps in international cooperation. States parties should make full use of this convention. Through UNTOC, we should pool our capacities, overcome jurisdictional limitations and conduct swift investigations to counter transnational organized crime. The Republic of Korea has contributed to the work of the SEAJUST network, which is growing beyond the ASEAN region into a cross-regional hub for judicial cooperation. In 2025 alone, the network facilitated 125 cases of international cooperation, including extradition, rapid evidence collection, and the sharing of information on asset recovery. These achievements demonstrate it is a practical platform that delivers concrete results in real cases. Criminal proceeds are the very driving force behind organized criminal groups. To dismantle organized criminal groups, we must deprive them of their proceeds. In August this year, the Republic of Korea adopted legislative amendments introducing non-conviction based confiscation. These amendments provide a solid legal foundation for the full recovery of criminal proceeds and will enter into force next year. They will enable the effective confiscation of criminal proceeds or the equivalent value in transnational crimes, even where the perpetrators cannot be identified. The Republic of Korea will continue strengthening its specialized investigative capacities domestically and expanding the foundations for international cooperation. To this end, we will remain committed to building strong and well-connected partnerships to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated response to evolving transnational organized crime. Thank you.

Thank you for your statement. And now I give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Matilda Lomatu Osei-Agyeman, Permanent Representative of Ghana to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Ghana congratulates you, Mr. President, on your election to preside over this 13th session of the Conference of the Parties. We assure you of our full support. Ghana also wishes to warmly acknowledge Her Excellency Ms. Monica Zuma, Executive Director of the UNODC, and commend her leadership and commitment to strengthening international cooperation in addressing transnational organized crime. We assure her of Ghana's continued support and cooperation in advancing the mandate of the UNODC. Ghana aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the G77 and China and the African Group respectively, and wishes to make the following remarks in its national capacity. Mr. President, transnational organized crime remains a serious threat to international peace, security, governance, and sustainable development. Criminal networks increasingly exploit technological advancements, porous borders, and institutional vulnerabilities to engage in human trafficking, migrant smuggling, illicit firearms trafficking, organized fraud, money laundering, and crimes that affect the environment. These criminal activities are increasingly interconnected, requiring comprehensive, coordinated, and evidence-based responses at the national, regional, and international levels. Ghana remains firmly committed to the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against transnational organized crime and its protocols through strengthened legislation, institutional coordination, law enforcement, cooperation, and international partnerships. Mr. President, Ghana continues to advance national efforts to combat organized crime through legislative and policy reforms, institutional capacity building, improved border management, and stronger interagency agency collaboration. In this regard, Ghana is pleased to highlight its elevation from tier two to tier one in the United States Department of State 2026 trafficking in persons report. Reflecting significant progress in its efforts to combat human trafficking. This achievement follows trended investigations and prosecutions. Improved victim identification and protection and enhanced coordination among national institutions and international partners. Nevertheless, Ghana recognizes the need for continued vigilance, particularly in addressing emerging trafficking patterns, including online recruitment and technology-enabled exploitation. Mr. President, Ghana is equally concerned about the growing convergence between transnational organized crime and crimes that affect the environment, particularly illegal mining, illicit trafficking in natural resources, and hazardous waste. We therefore welcome ongoing discussions on strengthening. international responses to these crimes, including consideration of possible gaps in the international legal framework and appropriate measures to address them through an inclusive and consensus-driven process. Ghana also recognizes the increasing threats posed by organized fraud, cyber-enabled financial crimes, and illicit financial flows, which undermine economic security, weaken public confidence in institutions, and provide criminal networks with resources to expand their operations. Mr. President, at the national level, Ghana continues to strengthen its response to illicit firearms trafficking and related organized crime activities through improved weapons control, surveillance, data collection, and community engagement. The successful implementation of Ghana's gun amnesty program and the destruction of illicit firearms demonstrate the country's commitment to reducing the circulation of unlawful weapons and protecting communities. Ghana further welcomes a successful launch on 23rd September 2026 of the EU for a secure Ghana project implemented by the UNODC with funding from the European Union. The initiative represents an important step towards strengthening Ghana's institutional and operational capacities to combat transnational organized crime, particularly illicit firearms trafficking, while enhancing national responses to terrorism, violent extremism, and related security At the regional level, Ghana continues to work with the ECOWAS, the African Union, and international partners to strengthen intelligence sharing, border security, coordinated investigations, and law enforcement cooperation. We emphasize the importance of effective mutual legal assistance, asset recovery, and timely cross-border cooperation in dismantling organized criminal networks. Mr. President, Ghana believes that sustainable responses to transnational organized crime must extend beyond law enforcement to address the underlying vulnerabilities that enable criminal activities to thrive. We therefore underscore the importance of evidence-based policy making. We further call for sustained, predictable, and needs-based technical assistance, particularly for developing countries. In conclusion, Mr. President, Ghana reaffirms its unwavering commitment to multilateralism and to the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols. We remain committed to working with Member States, the UNODC, and other international partners to disrupt transnational criminal networks, strengthen collective security, and advance safer, more resilient, and inclusive societies. I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of El Salvador. to the international organizations in Vienna. His Excellency, Mr. Kennedy Reyes Lazo, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. On behalf of the government of El Salvador, I express our deep gratitude your election to preside over this 13th session of the conference and I extend the same sentiments to the members of your Bureau. We wish you all success in the important work at the helm of this conference. More than two decades ago, the international community adopted the Palermo Convention, recognizing that transnational organized crime and its various manifestations constituted a threat that no state could confront in isolation. Today, the reality remains unchanged. Transnational organized crime continues to pose a real threat. Its activities are increasingly dynamic, interconnected, sophisticated, and profitable, exploiting new technologies to expand its reach. This new reality challenges us to strengthen and more effectively use the tools offered by the convention in the face of the new criminal realities, and of course, to redouble our national efforts, strengthening our institutions. Organized crime calls for unity, coordination, and willingness to act. We are convinced that the structural challenges that we face must be addressed through joint action among states and through a firm commitment to generate effective and sustainable solutions for our peoples. President. El Salvador has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the obligations as held in the Palermo Convention and its protocols by adopting the legislative and legal measures necessary not only to punish crime, but also to pursue the dismantling of criminal structures. El Salvador recognizes the value of the mechanisms established by the Convention in strengthening coordinated efforts and responses towards this phenomenon, providing states with essential tools to translate the commitments into concrete capabilities. In this regard, we would like to recognize the support offered by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in reinforcing cooperation among states and developing training programs for experts in charge of preventing, investigating and prosecuting these crimes. President, for El Salvador, strengthening our national capacities is an indispensable condition for effective international cooperation. Our efforts are not limited to combating domestic manifestations of crime and criminality. We also contribute to disrupting transnational illicit networks and flows, as evidenced by operations conducted by organizations engaged in drug trafficking. Furthermore, the advances achieved by El Salvador in public sector have born new opportunities for sharing of successful experiences and acquired knowledge in supporting other states that face similar challenges. The main lessons based on our domestic experiences are clear. No weapon is more powerful against organized crime than the determination of a state to confront and defeat it. The response to organized crime cannot be based solely on the persecution and dismantling of criminal organizations. Social strategies must also be strengthened with particular attention paid to communities affected by the crime. Priority must be given to younger generations through initiatives aimed at reclaiming community spaces, strengthening social cohesion, expanding educational capacities, and creating opportunities for young people and children. Finally, we believe that we must remain attentive to the changes in criminal methods, especially the use of new technologies in facilitating their operations and creating new forms of concealment and financing. This calls for dynamic, coordinated and adaptable responses. I conclude by reaffirming El Salvador's commitment to continue strengthening partnerships, working side by side with state parties in making UNTOC a more effective instrument in the face of transnational organized crime and the threats that it poses. Thank you very

much.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Shambhu Kumaran, Permanent Representative of India to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

President, allow me to, at the outset, congratulate you once again on assuming the

presidency of the 13th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

And I'd also like to, on behalf of India, congratulate members of the Bureau and assure you of our full cooperation.

Mr. President, transnational organized crime continues to pose a serious threat to peace, security, and development.

Criminal networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, exploiting geopolitical instability, technological advancements, and gaps in international cooperation.

The rapid evolution of technology, in particular, has further transformed the nature of organized crime. Cyber-enabled financial fraud, trafficking in persons, online scam operations, and the growing criminal misuse of artificial intelligence present new challenges that demand coordinated international cooperation. The growing nexus between terrorism and organized crime, particularly through drug trafficking, illicit financial flows, arms smuggling and other criminal activities remains a matter of grave concern.

India firmly believes there can be

no justification for terrorism and that those who finance, facilitate or provide safe havens to terrorists and organized criminal

networks must be held accountable. India remains committed to addressing these threats through robust legal frameworks,

technological innovation, and strengthened international partnerships.

Our Crime and Criminal Tracking

Network and Systems, CCTNS, and Interoperable Criminal Justice System, ICJS, continue to strengthen coordination across our criminal justice system. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, I4C, plays a crucial role in combating cyber-enabled organized crime.

While the global operations center of the Central Bureau of Investigation facilitates international law enforcement cooperation.

India's new criminal laws have further reformed and strengthened our legal framework, including by specifically recognizing organized.

Crime as an offense.

India's signing of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in September 2026.

Further reflects our commitment to effective international cooperation in addressing emerging criminal threats.

Mr. President, India attaches great importance to the effective implementation of UNTOC and its protocols. We believe that the implementation review mechanism must remain state-led, constructive, non-intrusive, and guided by the principles of sovereign equality and respect for domestic legal frameworks. Strengthening mutual legal assistance, extradition, information sharing, and capacity building, particularly for developing countries, remains essential to our collective efforts.

At a time of increasing global challenges, international cooperation is not merely desirable, but indispensable.

India reiterates its unwavering commitment to combating transnational organized crime and stands ready to work with all States Parties.

And UNODC to dismantle criminal networks, deny safe havens, and ensure a safer and more secure world for all.

I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to Her Excellency, Sonia Farre, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

President, distinguished delegates, the United Kingdom is pleased to participate in the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Criminal networks continue to evolve in scale, sophistication and reach. They exploit conflict, instability, technology and global connectivity to generate illicit profits, undermine governance, and threaten our collective security and prosperity. No state can address these threats alone. The Convention and its protocols remain the cornerstone of the international response and the framework for international cooperation against organized crime. Our priority must be their full and effective implementation. delivering stronger operational cooperation and practical results. We welcome UNODC's support to Member States to strengthen international cooperation and develop practical responses to organized crime. Building on the 15th United Nations Crime Congress and the Abu Dhabi Declaration, we must now translate those commitments into action. The United Kingdom continues to invest in strengthening the global response to organised crime, including through a further 1.5 million contribution to UNODC this year. At a time of acute financial pressure, resources must be used efficiently and directed towards agreed priorities with the greatest impact. A key UK priority is disrupting the financial and enabling structures that allow organised crime to thrive. Corruption, bribery, money laundering and illicit financial flows are the lifeblood of criminal networks and must be tackled if we are to dismantle their business models. We remain committed to combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling through victim-centred and gender-responsive approaches. The United Kingdom is committed to tackling all forms of violence against women and girls, including technology-facilitated abuse. The links between organized crime, illicit finance, corruption, trafficking, fraud, cyber-enabled crime, and environmental crime are increasingly clear. We stand ready to work with Member States and UNODC to strengthen implementation, deepen operational cooperation, and deliver practical results against these evolving threats. Thank you.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Delphine Orno-Pouzar, Permanent Representative of France to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. France is firmly committed to combating transnational organized crime, namely drug trafficking and the transnational organized crime groups which pose a fundamental threat to our country and to our partners. France advocates for seeking effective and firm responses that are aligned with the Convention's principles and values that guide our action within the United Nations. such as human rights, the rule of law, victim protection, and access to justice for all, as aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. These solutions require enhanced coordination of specialized bodies, strengthening the digital tools that we have, and enhanced financial investigations. I'd like to give three examples of reform that we are organizing. with determination and that are our priorities for this Conference of Parties. Firstly, France commits to combating crime groups, especially drug traffickers. Against that backdrop, we have made combating drug trafficking one of the priorities of our presidency of the G7 via the organization of a regional conference on security in the Caribbean. This was organized in Martinique. and will involve the launch of a network of G7 ports. With its law of 13 June 2025, France seeks to exit the trap of drug trafficking. We have set up bodies that will enable us to coordinate the fight against criminal groups. This law allows us to facilitate the fight against financial crime. by giving the prefect who represents the state the possibility of temporarily shutting down businesses that are suspected of money laundering. Secondly, France is fully committed to modernizing our systems of justice and our law enforcement by promoting the reasoned and responsible uses of new technologies and artificial intelligence, but always under human supervision. We are continuing our policy of fighting against environmental organized crime because intentional destruction of the environment impacts our common heritage, our sovereignty, our economies, our security, and the health of our populations, as well as trust in our states. This is a transnational phenomenon that is lucrative and constantly growing, and it threatens and imperils our national territory and that of our partners. But no national engagement is sufficient on its own. The European directive of April 2024 establishes common standards. The Council of Europe Convention on Protection of the Environment, which was adopted in 2025 and which we signed last month, they both pursue the same objectives. We also support an additional protocol to the Palermo Convention to strengthen our common framework, also judicial cooperation and financial investigations. Experience has shown that these protocols allow for a better response on the ground. The quest for greater effectiveness depends on international cooperation. Therefore, we fully support the work of UNODC, which provides knowledge, technical assistance, and platforms for cooperation across the world. We welcome last month's adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration. which provides a solid programmatic basis to guide our work for the next five years. We welcome the organization of this Conference of Parties to UNTOC. We thank UNODC for its organization, and you may count on the full support of France. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Damos Dumolly Agusman, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Mr. President, allow me to congratulate you on your elections and to assure you of Indonesia full support. Indonesia align itself with the statement by the group of G77 and China, and the Asia Pacific group. In this digital age, transnational criminal networks are no longer rigidly confined to a single country territory. Instead, they increasingly exploit technological advancement.

And gaps between national legal framework.

To expand their reach and profit from a range of illicit activities including drug trafficking.

Trafficking in persons, cyber crime, and money laundering across jurisdictions with unprecedented speed and anonymity.

The growing industrial scale of online scam operations are the clearest examples of the perfect ecosystem resulted from nexus between crime and technology.

And emerge along with trafficking in person for forced criminality, virtual asset money laundering, and corruptions.

Mr. President, to combat this international cooperation is imperative and should be done through the following frameworks. First, it is important to harmonize legal framework and effective implementation of key international instrument.

Review mechanism of UNTOC and its protocol hold an important role in identifying gap, good practice, and assistance needs.

Second, we need to strengthen the accelerated international legal cooperation through streamlined.

Mutual legal assistance and extraditions, timely sharing of intelligence and electronic evidence, and enhancing the use of joint investigation mechanisms.

To continue sustainable investment in law enforcement capacity by strengthening the technical expertise of investigators, prosecutors, and judges, particularly.

In the area of digital forensics, virtual assets, and cross-border asset recovery.

Mr. President, Indonesia pursue a comprehensive approach at both international and national level to counter these challenges.

At the national level, Indonesia continues to strengthen the implementation of the UNTOC and its related protocol.

Through the enactment of the new national criminal code and the development of an integrated national referral mechanism for victims of trafficking in person and online scam, Indonesia seek to ensure that its legal and institutional framework remain responsive to the evolving nature of transnational organized crime. At the international level, Indonesia actively contribute to strengthening regional cooperation framework within ASEAN and through the Bali Process mechanism.

Indonesia is honored to serve as a member of the CCPCG and the CND.

Rooted in our belief that no one nation can tackle the digital transnational threat, last month in New York, Indonesia joined the international community through signing the Cybercrime Convention.

Earlier this month, we also joined the Pledge for Justice Initiative, supporting the implementations of the Abu Dhabi declarations.

Mr. President, the increasing threat of transnational organized crime deserve more than words.

It require action from all of us through concrete and adaptive strategy of international community.

Indonesia stand ready to work with all related stakeholder in the spirit of cooperation.

I thank you.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to Mr. Bader Al-Mesad, Counselor, Appellate Attorney, Director General of the Kuwait Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies. of Kuwait. You have the floor.

In the name of the Al-Amos, most compassionate. Mr. President, we'd like to congratulate you on the trust you received to preside over the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties of UNTAC. We wish you success in your endeavors. This session is held 23 years after the entry into force of the UNTAC. For 25 years, we have witnessed the progress made in the development of an international legal framework for cooperation in combating transnational organized crimes in its different forms. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, heads of delegations, it is my pleasure to speak on behalf of the State of Kuwait during the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties of UNTOC. I wish to express my gratitude for the international efforts to enhance our common cooperation in the fight against organized crime, while deepening the principles upon which ONTOK and its protocols were built, being one of the key foundations for international cooperation system in criminal matters. While we recall this history, the progress that we made requires us to continue taking common action to face evolving challenges as transnational organized crime continue to expand beyond the borders. the international community, hence has to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of UNTAC and its protocols while developing tools for cooperation and coordination among state parties. We attach great importance to this agenda, particularly the review mechanisms in light of Resolution 9/1 and 10/1. entitled the launch of the review process under the review mechanism of the implementation of UNTAC and its supplementary protocols. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, heads of delegation, the State of Kuwait continued to update its legislative system in order to promote and enhance the prosecution of serious crimes, including the Decree of 79 of 2025 on international judicial cooperation in criminal matters. It regulated the mutual legal assistance, extradition, and the transfer of sentenced persons, exchange of evidence while tracing the proceeds of crimes. the public prosecution was mandated with the role of the central authority in this respect. We have also strengthened the framework that we established under Law 106 of 2013 on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism through Decree Law 76 of 2025. This decree developed the provisions for the implementation of Security Council resolutions and targeted financial sanctions, providing for penalties in cases of violations. This system also supports efforts to trace money generated from criminal activities. Decree Law 156 of 2025 on combating international crime was issued, regulating judicial and prosecutorial jurisdiction in the crimes listed therein. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, we renew our commitment to constructive cooperation with the State Parties and UNODC. While supporting all efforts aimed at implementing the Convention and its protocols, we stay committed to combating transnational organized crimes and its different forms on the basis of mutual responsibility and mutual respect. In closing, we look forward for this conference to contribute to enhancing international efforts while promoting the rule of law and supporting criminal justice system to reach a more effective international response. Thank you.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Preston Wills Griffith III, Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the International Organizations in Vienna.

For decades, transnational criminal organizations operated with near impunity, poisoning our communities, exploiting our children, and treating our borders as an open door. That era is finished. Under President Trump, the United States has made the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations a national imperative, and we have hunted these networks with every tool of American power. On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order establishing Homeland Security Task Forces across all 50 states. President Trump also signed an executive order to demolish the transnational criminal organizations and cyber criminals defrauding Americans. The United States convened Western Hemisphere leaders and forged the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition and the Shield of Americas. The United States designated 25 Latin American and Caribbean criminal organizations as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorist. and deployed new tools to go after the worst and most violent criminal organizations poisoning American communities. The United States has deported more than 400,000 criminal aliens from our soil in direct coordination with our regional partners. We have revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals alleged to have committed crimes, defrauded Americans, abused our immigration system, and endangered national security. President Trump signed the Take It Down Act, requiring platforms to erase exploitative content within 48 hours, and we've already secured our first federal conviction under this law. We have offered rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of 51 drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations, offering a total of $346 million through the Narcotics Rewards Program, and transnational organized crime awards programs for their capture and/or conviction. This historic and aggressive campaign, in concert with our allies in the region, has helped bring down some of the world's worst narco-terrorists, including Nicolas Maduro, El Mencho, El Jardinero, and Ryan Wedding, to justice in one form or another. We will not relent in this campaign for justice. Finally, we have put pressure on governments to act, including by securing adoption of five resolutions here, five resolutions in just the past 18 months, securing commitments from virtually every country in the world to disrupt alien smuggling and the corruption that fuels it, dismantle fraud and sextortion networks, and strengthen licit supply chains against exploitation by drug traffickers. These are not numbers for their own sake. Each one represents a community made safer, a child returned to their family, or a criminal network stripped of their ability to operate. The results? Nearly 29,000 violent gang members off U.S. streets and more than 2,700 gang cells destroyed outright. $15 billion seized from Prince Group, gutting its global financial pipeline. alongside key partners such as the United Kingdom. Nearly 5,000 individuals accused of being child predators and human traffickers off the streets, and more than 500 children rescued. And compared to the peaks of the last nine years, homicides in the United States are down by over 50 percent, and drug overdose rates are on the decline. These statistics are the direct result of decisive action. But let us be clear. The criminal networks do not operate in a vacuum, and they do not only harm Americans. They reside in your jurisdictions and prey on your citizens as well. In Southeast Asia, the scam compounds enslaving hundreds of thousands and defrauding victims worldwide sit on your soil. Shut them down and protect those who are exploited and defrauded. In West Africa, sextortion networks are destroying the lives of children on every continent. Launched from servers and syndicates operating within your borders, these are borderless crimes exploiting border justice systems. No case can be won if perpetrators evade both arrest and prosecution because jurisdictions fail to cooperate. Dismantle them. In the Western Hemisphere, narco-terrorists and their facilitators mix their poisons in your neighborhoods and survive with the help of corrupt actors within your own institutions. Root them out. The Trump administration will do whatever it takes to protect the American people. We want you to do the same. Protect your borders and protect your people. No cartel, no syndicate, no network should be beyond our reach. We are tabling two more resolutions at this conference, seeking to secure promises to destroy the entire facilitation network behind drug trafficking and to reform a broken UN. We call on every state here to step up to the fight and show your results. It's time for this forum to get back to basics and focus on pragmatism, efficiency, and results. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United States for its statement. Now I give the floor to Reverend Monsignor Luca Maravese, Counselor, Deputy Permanent Observer of the Holy See.

To the International Organizations in Vienna.

You have the floor. Thank you. Mr. President, at the outset, my delegation congratulates you on your election and expresses its appreciation to UNODC for its efforts to strengthen international cooperation in this field. The recently adopted Abu Dhabi Declaration provides a useful political framework for this conference, emphasizing prevention, international cooperation, and people-centered justice. Indeed, the fight against transnational organized crime must extend beyond repression and punishment. Accountability, prevention, and protection must go hand in hand with the God-given dignity of every human person at the center of our efforts. My delegation would therefore highlight five areas of particular concern. Firstly, prevention through education and the protection of young people. Organized criminal groups seek to recruit and exploit young people, including for drug trafficking and other illicit activities. As Pope Leo XIV emphasizes, education is key to prevention. This effort must begin within the family, where parents are the first and primary educators of their children, with the support of schools, civil society, and faith-based organizations. Together, they can foster a culture of lawfulness grounded in responsibility, freedom, and the common good, while offering young people the opportunities and support they need to resist pressures and exploitation by criminal networks. Secondly, the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons. Criminal networks exploit people in vulnerable situations, particularly amid geopolitical instability and armed conflicts. The growing phenomenon of forced criminality, whereby victims are coerced into criminal activities and subsequently treated as offenders, is of particular concern. Pope Leo XIV has drawn attention to this reality, warning of new forms of cyber slavery, including the coercion of individuals into financial scams. A victim-centered approach must therefore ensure that victims are properly identified, protected and supported in their recovery and reintegration into society, while distinguishing these from those who profit from their exploitation. Thirdly, the online sexual exploitation of children. Digital technologies have created new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit children through grooming, coercion, blackmail, and the production and dissemination of abusive material. Combating these crimes requires international cooperation, effective law enforcement, appropriate legal frameworks, and ethical standards. Furthermore, as Pope Leo XIV has observed, young people must be empowered to recognize manipulation and defend their dignity in digital environments. States, families, schools, civil society, and technology providers all share responsibility for protecting them. Fourthly, the illicit trafficking of cultural property. Such crimes deprive communities of their memory, identity, and spiritual heritage, far beyond the loss of objects of artistic or historical value. This is particularly evident in the case of religious sites and objects, which embody communities' faith and traditions and may serve a living religious purpose. International cooperation in this field must support both the recovery of stolen artifacts and the preservation of communities' cultural and spiritual heritage. Fifthly, crimes affecting the environment. These crimes damage natural resources and ecosystems, harming communities, livelihoods, and future generations. As Pope Leo XIV has recalled, recognizing the world as God's creation compels us to assume an even greater responsibility to care for it. This awareness should strengthen our resolve to prevent and combat environmental crime, fostering respect for creation and safeguarding the inviolability of human dignity. Mr. President, an effective and sustainable criminal justice system must combine firm law enforcement with adequate prevention and protection measures. It must hold perpetrators accountable while protecting those at risk. helping those who have been harmed to recover and reintegrate into society, and safeguarding the social, cultural, and spiritual bonds that give communities their identity. I thank you.

Thank you for this statement. Now I give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Eduardo Paes Saboya, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Thank you, President. We are standing with you.

Combating transnational organized crime is guided by a comprehensive strategy grounded in the rule of law, respect for human rights -- by the way, congratulations, South Africa, for the Nobel Prize to Navi Pillay -- and international cooperation. Drug trafficking, arms trafficking, environmental crimes, Human trafficking, cybercrime, as well as financial crimes, are interconnected activities that sustain increasingly sophisticated criminal organizations. Accordingly, our responses must seek not only to arrest offenders, but also to dismantle the financial economic structures that enable criminal networks to operate. A central principle is the strengthening of coordination among law enforcement, judicial, financial intelligence, customs and tax authorities, with particular emphasis on financial investigations, asset recovery, anti-money laundering measures. We must also recognize that no country can address transnational organized crime alone. For this reason, Brazil promotes bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation, while respecting state sovereignty and existing international legal frameworks. In this context, regional mechanisms play an important role in promoting coordinated action against organized crime. At the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, particularly, a special commission on public security was established and is conducting important work in promoting coordinated action against organized crime in the region. Twenty-five years after the adoption of UNTAC, we reach a critical juncture at this conference with a proposal to adopt the draft resolution tabled by Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Mauritania, Panama, Peru, Saint Helena and Principe, and Uruguay, aimed at launching negotiations on the fourth additional protocol to the UNTOC on trafficking in wild flora and fauna, illegal mining, and waste trafficking. With this action, the Conference will show that the UNTOC remains a live and adaptable treaty, just as was foreseen in its development. We will show that when faced with a threat of the scale and global reach as is that of environmental crimes, the international community can work together through multilateral diplomacy. Brazil calls for the approval of draft resolution L4, which is the fruit of the past two years of discussions at the UNTOC, as well as of the mobilization of a diverse group of countries, indigenous peoples, civil society, and private sector organizations. When criminal organizations earn up to $280 billion a year from environmental crime, Focusing disproportionately on the marginal cost of negotiations risks missing the point entirely. The costs of inaction on this topic are simply too large to bear, and this COP is the best opportunity we have to move forward towards an international legal framework that actually enables international cooperation against environmental crimes. Thank you.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Ruediger Bohn, Permanent Representative of Germany to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Mr. President. Germany congratulates you on your election and thanks the UNODC and the Secretariat for their tireless work in preparing and coordinating this conference. Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. We share the conviction that the UNTOC and its protocols remain the indispensable foundation for our collective efforts to prevent and combat transnational organized crime. Mr. President, Germany attaches particular importance to the effective implementation of the Convention and its implementation review mechanism. We must make the review process more efficient and ensure tangible results, while preserving transparency and inclusiveness. This also requires adequate financial and human resources and a broad donor basis. Germany therefore supports continued efforts to ensure the capacities necessary for the implementation of the Convention and its protocols. Nationally, Germany strengthens its fight against organized crime through a national action plan focused on enhanced interagency cooperation, improved information sharing, modern investigative tools, and the confiscation of criminal assets. Furthermore, Germany remains committed to combating illicit firearms trafficking and the transnational drug trade. In July 2026, the Federal Government adopted a key issues paper on combating organized crime in Germany and beyond, and remain actively engaged in forums such as the Coalition Against Organized Crime, the Maritime Analysis and Operations Center, and the European Ports Alliance. Regarding trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, Germany remains committed to protecting victims and dismantling the criminal networks that profit from exploitation and put human lives at risk. We have recently established an independent national rapporteur mechanism on trafficking in human beings and implemented a national action plan. We emphasize that prevention must be an equally important pillar of our endeavors. We must strengthen institutional capacities and promote awareness and systematically address vulnerabilities. Mr. President, crimes that affect the environment are a global threat to the security, economic development and prosperity of all of us. In the face of this growing challenge, Germany and Europe have taken important steps, including support for the creation of the European Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law, which is open for global accession. At the national level, we are strengthening the environmental criminal law and are formulating a national strategy and an action plan. Serious environmental crimes must be consistently prosecuted and sanctioned. International cooperation remains indispensable. This is why Germany welcomes the ongoing discussions on a possible additional protocol to the UNTOC addressing crimes that affect the environment. We stand ready to engage constructively in exploring how international cooperation in this area can be strengthened. Finally, we highlight the key role of civil society as an invaluable partner. We are concerned that even though these actors often face danger when engaging in the field of transnational organized crime, their space within the UNTOC framework remains restricted. Thank you very much.

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Jose Antonio Zabalgoitia, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Thank you, President. It's always a pleasure to see Guatemala leading our work. Congratulations. President, Honorable members of the Bureau, honorable delegations here present, representative of international organizations and civil society. It is a pleasure to address this plenary meeting of the conference to report on the concrete and measurable results that the government of Mexico has achieved through the implementation of its national public security strategy. It combines Policy is aimed at addressing the structural causes of violence and crime, particularly those affecting young people and vulnerable groups, with investigation, intelligence, and the participation of the population. Our goal is to sanction criminal groups that harm our population. Our outcome is concrete and measurable. Since October 2024 to September 2026, we have apprehended 70,500 perpetrators of violence. We have also seized more than 30,000 firearms linked to illicit trafficking and secured more than 400 tons of synthetic drugs, including the dismantling of thousands of clandestine laboratories. Furthermore, and in order to contribute to the disruption of criminal financial structures, We have blocked more than 24,000 bank accounts and frozen assets amounting more than the equivalent of 465 million US dollars. However, these national efforts will remain insufficient without an equivalent global commitment. Each State must take up the responsibility that lies within its own territory by substantially reducing domestic demand for illicit drugs, including synthetic drugs, preventing the illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition across borders, and dismantling the financial schemes used to launder the proceeds of crime. The government of Mexico is offering international cooperation with shared responsibility, full respect of national sovereignty and international law in order to strengthen safe sharing of information and intelligence for the common designing of joint strategies to allow us to dismantle criminal organization, depriving them of the proceeds of crime. President, honorable delegates. Within the framework of this conference, my country has presented a draft resolution aimed at commemorating the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Firearms Protocol supplementing the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The resolution calls upon state parties to reaffirm their support to the protocol and its universalization as we recognize the important legacy that this conference has built through the progressive adoption of resolutions to strengthen the protocol. As we look forward, the resolution also identifies thematic areas where we could work in years to come as we continue to promote the objectives of the protocol. The government of Mexico considers that this resolution contributes to further reducing spaces in which criminal organizations operate through illicit trafficking of arms as they continue to exacerbate violence and conflict in all regions of the world. We are therefore calling on the conference to give favorable consideration to this resolution. President, organized crime knows no borders. For this reason, our response cannot be fragmented. Only through strong, coordinated, mutually responsible partnerships Will we be able to address this common threat effectively and thereby building societies that are just, inclusive, and peaceful? Thank you.

Thank you for your statement. Now I give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Raphael Nageli, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

President, Your Excellency, Gabriela Orellana Sabalsa, Switzerland congratulates you on your election as President of this 13th session of the Conference of the Parties. We also thank the outgoing President, His Excellency Peter Buriyan, and the Secretariat for their invaluable work. Transnational organized crime remains a major threat to our societies. our institutions and to the rule of law. Criminal groups rapidly exploit new technologies and the digital sphere, including by developing increasingly complex forms of cybercrime. Faced with interconnected networks operating across borders, no state can act alone. UNTOC, its protocols, and UNODC remain at the heart of our collective response. We welcome in this regard the adoption by consensus of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, which outlines a shared way forward to guide our future action. Whether dismantling cybercriminal networks, returning illicit assets, or strengthening technical assistance, Switzerland's action demonstrates that multilateral cooperation and the rule of law are inseparable. This commitment is also reflected in its active engagement in the on-talk review mechanism through which Switzerland assesses and shares its good practices in order to strengthen the effective implementation of the convention. In this context, we wish to highlight the excellent cooperation we have with Algeria, France, Romania, and Czechia. Switzerland welcomes all the draft resolutions presented, in particular those aimed at improving the effectiveness and the efficiency of the organization and of its mechanisms. These reforms must be guided by the constant pursuit of the common good and the strengthening of our collective action. In keeping with its foreign policy aimed at consolidating existing multilateral governance, Switzerland recalls that we must focus first and foremost on the effective implementation of the legal instruments and tools already at our disposal, while building on human rights and robust mutual legal assistance. Furthermore, we emphasize the need for close cooperation among states, civil society, and the private sector, particularly in the face of cybercrime. Switzerland is currently implementing its first strategy to combat organized crime through a national action plan. This strategy aims to better identify, prevent, and combat this phenomenon through coordinated action at all levels of government and through close cooperation with its international partners. Switzerland greatly values the exchange of good practices and recommendations within UNODC working groups and conferences. Finally, and in the same spirit, Switzerland is organizing, together with the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, a side event on the role of democracy and the rule of law in combating transnational organized crime. This exchange which will take place tomorrow, will highlight the importance of resilient institutions, the protection of human rights and civil society participation in effectively combating organized crime. Thank you.

Thank you for your statement. And now I give the floor to the last speaker of the day, His Excellency Mr. Kamil Hasief, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the International Organizations in Vienna. You have the floor.

Mr. President, distinguished delegates, at the outset, I wish to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election. I also express our appreciation to UNODC and Secretariat for the continued efforts in supporting the work of the conference. Transnational organized crime remains a serious threat to international peace and security. the rule of law, and sustainable development. Its increasingly complex and cross-border nature enables criminal networks to exploit vulnerabilities across jurisdictions, undermine legitimate economic activities, and inflict considerable harm on individuals, communities, and institutions. Addressing this challenge requires sustained political commitment, effective national responses, and strengthened international cooperation. As a State Party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and all its complementing protocols, Azerbaijan remains firmly committed to the purposes and objectives of these instruments and their effective implementation. There is particular significance to the universalization of the Convention and its protocols. In this regard, we welcome the progress achieved since the 12th session of the Conference in expanding accessions to the protocols supplementing UNTOC and encourage further efforts in this direction. At the national level, Azerbaijan continues to take consistent measures to fulfill its obligations under the Convention. These efforts include, inter alia, ensuring the comprehensive criminalization under national legislation of relevant forms of organized criminal activities. In support of national efforts, we wish to highlight the importance of the UNTOC review mechanism as a peer review process that facilitates effective implementation of the Convention and the protocol thereto, assists States parties in identifying and substantiating their specific technical assistance needs, and promotes international cooperation. Within the framework of the UNTOC review mechanism, Azerbaijan has taken the necessary steps to advance its country review process, including completing and submitting the self-assessment questionnaire for consideration by the reviewing State Parties. Azerbaijan is also fulfilling its responsibilities as a reviewing State Party in two country reviews under the mechanism. Azerbaijan also places importance to the substantive work of the Conference and its subsidiary bodies. This year, Azerbaijan has been pleased to contribute through the participation of national experts in the deliberations of the working groups on firearms, the smuggling of migrants, and international cooperation. We believe that such exchanges of practical experience and expertise help Member States and the Secretariat identify concrete priorities and advance result-oriented action. Mr. President, an effective response to transnational organized crime must take account of its links with other forms of criminality, including corruption, money laundering, illicit financial flows, illicit trafficking in weapons, cultural property and other goods, terrorism and its financing. as well as illegal exploitation and trafficking of national resources. These challenges become particularly acute in conflict settings and in situations where the exercise of legitimate authority and effective control is obstructed, creating opportunities for various types of illicit activities, the consequences of which extend also to post-conflict settings. Mr. President, the changing methods and geographical reach of criminal networks also require us to adapt our responses to new and emerging challenges. Criminal groups increasingly exploit modern information and communication technologies to operate across borders, target individuals and institutions in other countries, and take advantage of differences in national legal frameworks and enforcement capacities. In this context, Azerbaijan attaches particular importance to enhancing global efforts to combat cybercrime and welcomes the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime as an important contribution to the international legal framework in this area. As a demonstration of our commitment, Azerbaijan was among the first signatories to ratify the Convention in 2026. Mr. President, no state can effectively combat transnational organized crime in isolation. The responses of States to these crimes must be coordinated in a timely and comprehensive manner. International cooperation in criminal matters, including mutual legal assistance, extradition, and the exchange of information and expertise, remains indispensable to ensuring that criminal investigations and proceedings can effectively address the transnational dimension of organized crime. In the meantime, respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states, as well as the principle of non-interference in their internal affairs, must remain fundamental to international cooperation. In conclusion, Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitment to the effective implementation of UNTOC and its protocols, and to working constructively with all States parties and the United ODC towards a stronger, more coordinated international response to transnational organized crime. I thank you.

Thank you for your statement. Before I adjourn the session today, I would like to call on delegations to be here tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. when we will reconvene our agenda item 1F. Thank you very much. The session is adjourned.