The 34th Session of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) is being held this week in Vienna. Member States are called to discuss and adopt several resolutions on key global aspects, such as migrants smuggling, smuggling of commercial goods, environmental crimes, crime prevention and basic criminal justice standards.
In her statement, Ambassador Debora Lepre, Permanent Representative of Italy to the International Organisations in Vienna, recalled the foresight of Italian judges Falcone and Borsellino, who, recognizing the growing transnational nature of mafias, pointed out the need for global responses. This view remains fully valid, considering the fact that criminal organizations are not affected by budgetary crises or geopolitical tensions; on the contrary, they are are richer and more powerful than ever around the world : latest estimates tell us that organized crime generates 5.8 trillion US dollars per year, around 5% of the global GDP, figures that doubled compared to 2010. Amb. Lepre also reconfirmed Italy’s full support to UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) and recalled the importance of a constructive and effective cooperation, also in view of the next United Nations Crime Congress, which will be held in Abu Dhabi in 2026.
In the margins of the session, Italy co-organized together with UNODC a special event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power. In her opening speech, Ambassador Lepre underlined Italy’s key role in the drafting of the Declaration as well as the Italian commitment to promoting solid systems for the protection, support and participation of crime victims.
