By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Policy-makers and experts gather in Doha today at the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UN Crime Congress) to exchange their experiences and intensify international cooperation in tackling the threat of transnational organised crime.
Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will open the congress in the presence of Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon, presidents of the UN General Assembly and the UN Economic and Social Council and executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes Office at the Qatar National Convention Centre. The congress will look into methods to prevent traditional and modern day crimes.
“The agenda of the Congress includes themes that have an impact on the lives of citizens all over the world, such as the treatment and social reintegration of offenders, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, new and emerging forms of transnational crime such as cybercrime, trafficking in cultural property or wildlife crime and the importance of public participation in strengthening crime prevention and criminal justice,” said Jo Dedeyne Amann, Secretary of the 13th UN Crime Congress yesterday.
Discussions will include some major challenges like corruption, smuggling of migrants and human trafficking as well as issues like terror financing and money laundering, she added.
Every five years policymakers and practitioners working on crime prevention and criminal justice gather for the United Nations Crime Congress to help shape the agenda and standards of the UN for crime prevention and criminal justice.
The Doha event marks the 60th anniversary of the Crime Congress, and will consider how best to integrate crime prevention and criminal justice into the wider UN agenda.
‘Integrating crime prevention and criminal justice into the wider UN agenda to address social and economic challenges and promote the rule of law at the national and international levels, and public participation,’ will be the theme of the congress which hosts more than 5,000 delegates.
Delegates include Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani along with more than 110 ministers and experts from 142 countries, said Major General Abdulla Yousuf Al Maal, Head of Preparatory Committee of 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
Participants in the Doha Youth Forum held ahead of the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice will hand over their recommendations to the Prime Minister during the opening ceremony.
In addition to the main programme of the Congress, 230 associated workshops will be held, covering 75 specialised subjects related to crime prevention and criminal justice.
Also an exhibition will be held with participation of 60 exhibitors in an area of about 10,000 square meters.
The Peninsula
