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General Assembly – High-Level Debate on “The Role of Regional Organizations in Strengthening and Implementing Crime Prevention Initiatives and Criminal Justice Responses”.

National statement at the High-Level Debate of the General Assembly on “The Role of Regional Organizations in Strengthening and Implementing Crime Prevention Initiatives and Criminal Justice Responses”. —

 

On behalf of Italy, I would like to thank all of the participants of today’s debate and, in particular, the PGA for having organized so attentively this event, offering a vital contribution to its opening session.

When – within the framework of the Omnibus resolution on crime – Italy decided to propose to other Member States the today’s debate dedicated to the role of regional organizations, we firmly believed in the potential these organizations could offer. Awareness of such potential is a prerequisite for local and global policies to advance coherently. The statements delivered by the panelists as well as representatives of the European Union and other regional organizations address many important points in this respect, thus confirming our convincement.

As Prosecutor Lo Voi recalled this morning, the European Union and the Council of Europe have gradually formed a juridical and judicial space comprising 47 Countries, involving every sector of the legal system. The advantages that this has brought also to the fight against organized crime go well beyond the coordination and exchange of information and consist in the harmonization of national systems; the creation of mutual trust; the convergence of national juridical cultures based on the rule of law and the respect of human rights; arriving to create supranational courts and juridical structures that unify all these countries. All these factors greatly facilitate investigations and make judicial decisions effective beyond national borders, thus responding to the transnational nature of the criminal phenomena we all know very well. There is another advantage I want to highlight: the presence of a juridical space and common frameworks allow European institutions to engage in an advanced dialogue with the United Nations and other international organizations., European institutions may therefore result in an important reference point for existing supranational organizations and those that are still taking shape today.

Let me commend all comments that underlined the importance of having the United Nations system working to coordinate and complement the work of regional and sub-regional organizations in a very positive circle.

Italian law against organized crime and terrorism, the establishment of the National Anti-mafia and Antiterrorism Directorate and the experience of Italian law enforcement and judicial bodies acquired over the past 50 years represent a standard of excellence, culminating in the “Palermo Convention” and in the support Italy continues to provide to UNODC programs and to the international organizations that operate in the field of training, technical assistance and capacity building.

Italy will continue to uphold this commitment for the benefit of every actor. We are confident that today’s debate will give further momentum to strengthening international cooperation at every level.

I thank you.