United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

First session of the Conference of the Parties
to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

Vienna, 28 June 2004

Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,

It gives me great pleasure to address the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. In the face of the extraordinary challenge posed by organized crime, the Conference is convened to tackle issues of importance to all of us, individually and collectively.

Distinguished Delegates: your achievement in bringing the Convention to this stage is quite remarkable. The rapid entry into force of the Convention and of two Protocols demonstrates your determination to join forces against uncivil behaviours (as the Secretary-General calls them). We, the Office on Drugs and Crime, are truly privileged to assist in this endeavour and to work as your executive arm.

The Conference represents a milestone.

First, because of the remarkable conclusion of the negotiations related to the Convention and its Protocols. During the negotiations, the “Vienna Spirit”, as the Secretary-General called it in his message, prevailed. Not only were these negotiations completed in record time, setting and respecting a deadline. They produced instruments that did not sacrifice quality and functionality to gain rapid consensus.

Second, this session is a milestone because of the high number of Parties attending it. The Conference’s participants represent a critical mass of Member States. Significant is also the fact that many other signatories are close to completing the ratification process. Also noteworthy is the fact that today’s group of Parties has a widespread regional representation, including a good balance between developing and developed countries.

Third, this Conference is important because of the potential created by the broad, and carefully crafted mandate given to it by the Convention. Let me elaborate on this point.

When I travel, government officials and the press alike ask whether the entry into force of a Convention is sufficient to address an issue, whatever it may be – for example drug control, crime or corruption or trafficking in human beings. Of course the answer is negative. Legal instruments, national or international, can only be effective if those in charge take them seriously and do not just let them gather dust on library shelves.

Indeed, this Conference, and the underlining Convention, will be as effective as you wish them to be. The potential to fight organized crime is certainly there, embodied in the Convention. I wish this Conference to do its utmost so as to impart to each Contracting Party a realistic sense of delivery.

There is no shortage of issues that you need to consider. There are the what and the how, as well as the when action is needed. You need to give serious thought to what has to be accomplished so as to ensure effective implementation of the Convention and its Protocols. You also need to think about the kind of mechanisms the Conference requires, for example how to ensure monitoring of implementation, the delivery of technical assistance, and its financing. The question of when to do so can be easily answered: right now as organized crime is causing too much pain, it destabilizes too many societies, it creates an environment prone to corruption and lawlessness.

In the next few days I wish to see a reconfirmation of the “Spirit of Vienna”, the sense of innovation, creativity and consensus that prevailed in the past, with full regard for individual country situations, understanding sensitivities that may exist. This Conference must confirm this principle.

The implementation of the Convention and its Protocols requires not only strong political will, but also the capacity of States Parties to deliver, including those that are willing to comply with the instruments, but lack the necessary means.

It is, therefore, logical for technical cooperation to occupy such a prominent place in the Convention and the Protocols. The Conference needs to build on that prominence and find ways of maximizing the impact of technical cooperation for implementation. This responsibility does not fall only on the Member States’ shoulders. Our Office shares this responsibility. And we will try our best to discharge it. Let me therefore outline how the Office is working towards promoting the Convention and its Protocols.

Since the Palermo signing in December 2000, our assistance has reached more than 140 States, 60 of which have become Parties to the Convention. Our activities would not have been possible without generous support from the wealthier Member States. The legislative guide for the implementation of the Convention before you, for example, is the product of more than 50 experts from 22 countries. The Office’s ability to provide technical assistance is, of course, resource constrained. I therefore hope that your guidance and support for our work will be as strong as ever.

We are not alone. I was pleased when a couple of months ago (April) the Chief Executives Board of the United Nations, meeting here in Vienna under the leadership of the Secretary-General, endorsed the development of a strategic framework for action in support of the Conference by the entire United Nations system. This strategic framework, which will be submitted to you for your consideration, will permit the UN system to work together in order to bring its diverse talents and expertise to bear in supporting you in your tasks.

Mr. President,

Before I conclude, please allow me to reiterate my appeal to those States that are not yet Parties to join the Convention and its Protocols, and in particular the Firearms Protocol, which is regrettably still lagging behind with 21 States Parties. The Convention and the Protocols were not established to become isolated from each other, but to form a comprehensive legal framework to combat organized criminal groups dealing in whatever is profitable – including drugs, human beings and weapons.

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto can undeniably contribute to reducing the threat posed by organized crime. You have the rare privilege and bear the unique responsibility of making these instruments stronger and more efficient through your work here in Vienna. Let us convey the message that the international community stands firmly united in the fight against organized crime.

Thank you.