Presidents of Austria, Italy join UNODC in calling for renewed global solidarity against transnational organized crime

The fast-developing threats posed by transnational organized crime demand joint responses and a renewed commitment to international cooperation, said high-level participants at a special event at the Vienna International Centre to mark the International Day against Transnational Organized Crime and the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

The President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, and the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, opened the event with the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ghada Waly.

"Organized crime is more connected, more sophisticated, more profitable, and more dangerous than ever before," said Executive Director Waly. "If we are to meet these challenges, we must adapt to the times, and to do that we must breathe new life into the UNTOC. The Convention's greatest strength lies in its power to create a level playing field, where justice is defined by one set of rules for all; where criminals and their profits have nowhere to hide; and where victims and witnesses have nothing to fear. Its broad provisions can be shaped to confront new and emerging threats, from darknet drug markets to crimes that affect the environment, and much more."

"International cooperation in investigations is essential to combat organized crime and should be pursued by strengthening the institutions and legal systems established by the international community to protect citizens, overcoming particularism and improperness to ensure effective coordination," said President Mattarella.

"Organized crime is an insidious and constant threat to our societies and to every single one of our citizens. The Palermo Convention is the answer. The best way to celebrate its anniversary is to remain steadfast in our determination and activism, and to redouble our efforts," said President Van der Bellen.

The commemoration event, organized by UNODC, brought together diplomats, civil society representatives and experts. A panel discussion with representatives from different regions shared perspectives on how to prevent and respond to transnational organized crime, including through the organized crime convention. UNODC presented findings from its forthcoming research report on transnational organized crime to set the scene for the discussion. The event also featured musical performances and a statement from a youth representative from the UNODC Generation Justice Initiative.

An exhibition on "The Legacy of Falcone and Borsellino", focusing on the lives and achievements of two famed anti-mafia fighters, Judges Paolo Borsellino and Giovanni Falcone, was held on the margins of the event. The exhibition was organized by the Italian national news agency ANSA and sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Italy to the International Organizations in Vienna.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), widely known as the Palermo Convention, on 15 November 2000. Supplemented by three Protocols addressing human trafficking, migrant smuggling and firearms trafficking, the Convention established the first comprehensive and legally binding framework to promote international cooperation and strengthen national capacities to prevent and combat transnational organized crime, both in its traditional manifestations and its new, evolving and emerging forms.

In March 2024, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/78/267, proclaiming 15 November as the International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime. The observance is intended to raise global awareness of the grave threat posed by transnational organized crime, foster stronger cooperation among States, and reinforce collective commitment to the full and effective implementation of the UNTOC.