To build sustainable development

PROTECTION against crime and violence is a top priority of people everywhere. Criminal activities undermine state authority by fuelling corruption and damaging the legitimate economy. This has an impact on the quality of life of citizens, most particularly the poor, women and children.

Effective criminal justice systems and respect for the rule of law are crucial for achieving sustainable development. In a globalised inter-connected world the transnational nature of crime is one of the key challenges countries face.

From 12 to 19 April 2015, Qatar will be hosting the Thirteenth UN Crime Congress in Doha which brings together governments, policy-makers and experts to exchange their experiences and intensify international cooperation in tackling the threat of transnational organised crime. 

As the international community continues to discuss the post-2015 development agenda, so the 13th Crime Congress will consider how best to integrate crime prevention and criminal justice into the wider UN agenda. It will focus on links between security, justice and the rule of law, and the attainment of a better, more equitable world.

As the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, has said, people aspire to be free from the grip of crime, violence, corruption and insecurity: “This basic human aspiration chimes with a growing recognition across the international community that crime is not simply a social problem, but a grave obstacle to achieving sustainable development. 

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that   “There is no peace without development, no development without peace, and there is no lasting peace or sustainable development without respect for human rights and the rule of law.” 

The Crime Congress is the world's largest and most diverse gathering of Governments, civil society, academia and experts in crime prevention and criminal justice. For the past six decades the congresses have had an impact on policies and strengthened international cooperation against the global threat of transnational organized crime.

As a global forum, UN Crime Congresses enable the exchange of information and best practices among States and professionals working in this field. This year, the Crime Congress will focus on four areas:

* Successes and challenges in implementing comprehensive crime prevention and criminal justice policies and strategies to promote the rule of law nationally and internationally and to support sustainable development;

* International and regional cooperation to combat transnational organized crime;

* Comprehensive and balanced approaches to prevent and adequately respond to new and emerging forms of transnational crime; and

* National approaches to public participation in strengthening crime prevention and criminal justice.

Compiled by Law Desk.