Resident Coordinator's speech: Regional Workshop on Non-governmental Stakeholders’ Engagement in Practical Application of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

Esteemed representatives of civil society organizations, academia and the private sector from Southeast Asia and South Asia,

Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Good morning!

I am pleased to address you today at the Regional Workshop on Non-governmental Stakeholders’ Engagement in Practical Application of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. 

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the UNODC Civil Society Unit and the UNODC Regional Office for East Asia and the Pacific for organizing this important workshop. 

I also wish to thank the United States’ State Department for providing the financial support that made this event possible. 

Transnational organized crime is a serious threat that undermines the stability, security, and development of our societies. 

In East Asia and South Asia, the challenges are particularly acute, encompassing human trafficking, drug trafficking, and organized fraud. These crimes erode the rule of law, fuel corruption, and hinder sustainable development.

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), adopted in 2000, remains the cornerstone of our global efforts to combat these crimes. It provides a comprehensive framework for international cooperation, enabling countries to work together to tackle organized crime effectively. 

The Convention also provides for civil society involvement in tackling this pervasive crime. The engagement of key stakeholders beyond government is essential for the success of our efforts to tackle transnational organized crime. 

The Stakeholder Engagement for UNTOC (SE4U) project, the umbrella project under which this event is organized, is instrumental in building the capacity and knowledge of non-governmental stakeholders, fostering trust with governments, and bolstering collective efforts to combat organized crime.

The establishment, in March last year, of 15 November as the International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime underscores the global commitment to addressing this issue. This day serves as a reminder of the urgent need for collective action to combat organized crime in all its forms.

The recent report of the United Nations High-level Committee on Programmes highlights the critical role of multilateral cooperation in addressing transnational organized crime. It emphasizes the need for innovative approaches and strengthened partnerships to effectively combat these crimes.

The 2024 UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons reveals alarming trends, including a significant rise in child trafficking and forced labour globally. 

In South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, the majority of the victims (70%) are exploited for forced labour or are victims of sexual exploitation. 40% of the victims detected are girls. 

These findings underscore the importance of robust international cooperation to prevent, investigate and prosecute these criminal activities, which often transcend  national borders, regions and continents. The report also highlights the pressing need for targeted measures to protect the most vulnerable.

The Pact for the Future, adopted in September 2024 as a catalyst for renewed multilateral cooperation and global solidarity, underscores the urgency of addressing transnational organized crime as a global threat. 

Action 24 of the Pact for the Future calls for enhanced efforts to prevent and combat transnational organized crime, aligning with the universal commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Goal 16, specifically, aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions at all levels.

Civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector are indispensable partners in this effort. Their involvement is crucial to progress on several levels:

1. Awareness and Advocacy: CSOs raise awareness about the impacts of organized crime and advocate for stronger policies and legislation. They give a voice to the victims and ensure that their stories are heard.
2. Research and Data Collection: Academia contributes through research and data collection, providing evidence-based insights that inform policy decisions and strategies.
3. Community Engagement: CSOs are deeply embedded in communities, making them effective in mobilizing grassroots support and fostering community resilience against organized crime.
4. Partnerships and Collaboration: The private sector can offer innovative solutions and resources. By working together with governments and civil society, we can create a comprehensive approach to combatting organized crime.

In our region, organized fraud is a pressing issue. This crime not only causes significant financial losses but also erodes trust in institutions and exacerbates existing vulnerabilities. 

By engaging non-governmental stakeholders, we can develop more effective prevention and response strategies. For instance, CSOs can help educate the public about common fraud schemes, sharing real-life examples and disseminating prevention and reporting tips. The private sector, on the other hand, can enhance cybersecurity measures to protect consumers and businesses against such crimes.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

As we gather today in Putrajaya, we all appreciate that the challenges we face are complex and require our steadfast commitment to translate the principles of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and related protocols into policies and actions that   effectively dismantle criminal networks, protect victims, and strengthen justice systems. 

Our success relies on our ability to leverage the strengths of civil society, academia, and the private sector to build more resilient communities that share a safer, more just, and sustainable future.

Thank you.