Statement by the Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, Ambassador Mariangela Zappia, at the meeting of Third Committee on the adoption of the draft resolution “Strengthening the United Nations Programme on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, in particular its technical cooperation capacity”. —
Madam Chair,
I would like to take this opportunity to briefly introduce this resolution A/C.3/75/L.8/Rev.1.
In this important year, marking the 20th anniversary of the adoption in Palermo of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, Italy has had no hesitation in proposing the annual resolution on the UN programme on crime prevention and criminal justice, despite the constraints related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
After four rounds of informal consultations conducted by virtual means, – and thanks to the constructive engagement and cooperative attitude of the many delegations that have actively participated in the negotiations – we have consolidated a balanced text that builds on last year’s resolution and adds some important developments – including the 20th anniversary of United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the recent launch in Vienna of the Review Mechanism of the Convention. Also, in its preambular part, the resolution signals the profound impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may produce on criminal phenomena, including by noting with deep concern the actual increase in violence against women and girls and the importance of their access to justice. Let me also finally mention that the resolution reiterates its invitation to the President of the General Assembly, in collaboration with UNODC, to organize in the 75th session a high-level debate on the important topic of urban crime, given the impossibility of holding it during the 74th session.
In conclusion, Madam Chair,
As in previous years, Italy expects this year’s resolution to be adopted by consensus and we are grateful to all delegations for their engagement and support throughout this process. We also want to take this opportunity to thank the many Member States that have co-sponsored the resolution and we hope that others will join in co-sponsoring the text before adoption. Finally, Italy would like to thank UNODC and the Third Committee’s Secretariat for their valuable technical support in the preparation of the draft resolution.
Thank you, Madam Chair
