IPO AT 33RD SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT UN IN VIENNA

IPO Executive President – CEO Dr. Mareglen Tomori participated and represented the International Police Organization IPO at the 33rd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) that is taking place in Vienna (Austria) from Monday, 13 to 17 May 2024.

The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) is the preparatory body to the United Nations Crime Congresses. Declarations adopted by the congresses are transmitted through the CCPCJ and the ECOSOC to the GA for endorsement and was established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution 1992/1, upon request of General Assembly (GA) resolution 46/152, as one of its functional commissions.

The Commission acts as the principal policymaking body of the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice.  ECOSOC provided for the CCPCJ’s mandates and priorities in resolution 1992/22, which include improving international action to combat national and transnational crime and the efficiency and fairness of criminal justice administration systems.

The International Police Organization IPO HQ as an International Independent Entity of Civil Society - NGO in Special Consultative Status ECOSOC with the United Nations and as such may appoint authorized representatives to sit as observers at meetings of the commission and its subsidiary bodies. IPO on the list may have representatives present at such meetings when matters within the IPO area of competence are discussed.

The CCPCJ also offers Member States a forum for exchanging expertise, experience and information in order to develop national and international strategies, and to identify priorities for combating crime. The CCPCJ holds annual regular sessions as well as intersessional meetings. Towards the end of each year, the CCPCJ meets at a reconvened session to consider budgetary and administrative matters as the governing body of the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme.

>> IPO is an International Independent Entity of Civil Society, Multinational, Professional, and Educational NGO in Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC of the United Nations since 2022 that through education and scientific work aims to create theoretical and practical tools to serve as a bridge between the community and law enforcement bringing together civil and security professional structures to contribute together to a safer community and a safer tomorrow.

We are working tirelessly to achieve our objectives by creating international collaborations with State Institutions, Public Administration, Academies, Universities, and Private Entities in the scientific, education, and security fields and Civil Society in general, including in our professional and educational mechanisms all actors related to our field of operativity to contributing together for a safer world said Dr. Tomori among others in his speech.

During his stay at this important event, Dr. Tomori held several fruitful meetings, such as with the head of the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Mr. Ian Tennant, with whom he had a broad conversation on ongoing cooperation and the development of projects in the future since the IPO is a member of the Alliance for 5 years now.

The Alliance brings together a broad network of civil society organizations contributing to the achievement of security and justice for all. It ensures that civil society are recognized and heard in advancing the crime prevention and criminal justice agenda and in designing, implementing and measuring results of relevant policies everywhere. Under the umbrella of the Alliance, cooperation among its members is strengthened, reinforcing the expertise and vision of each of the members to add value and support the work of relevant international organizations, especially UNODC.

The Alliance encourages its members in playing a key role towards the achievement of the SDGs, and in particular, Goal 16 to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.”

Another important visit was made to the Criminalistics / Narcotics Laboratory stationed on the premises of the United Nations as part of the program "International Collaborative Exercises (ICE)" where Dr. Tomori had a very important conversation with the representatives of the Laboratory and together improvised checks of travel documents. This program is especially important when it comes to the security of borders and their illegal crossing using forged travel documents.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Laboratory provides scientific and forensic services to almost 300 labs in 80 countries.

The laboratory, which was originally established to carry out scientific research on opium, cannabis and other substances under international control, now ensures worldwide availability and accessibility of internationally accepted standards for forensic best practices. It also improves national forensic capacity and capabilities to meet internationally accepted standards of performance, and promotes the use of scientific and forensic data in strategic operations, policy and decision-making processes.

The laboratory, established by the General Assembly in 1954 as the United Nations Narcotics Laboratory, was based in Geneva until 1979.

We cannot fail to mention another important meeting with representatives of the Treaty Affairs Division DAT at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC which works in a broad area of ​​crime prevention and criminal justice, including international organized crime and covering various aspects.

During this meeting Dr. Tomori had the pleasure of inviting the Coordinator of the Division Mrs. Georgia Dimitropoulou at the 3rd International IPO Congress which will take place in Tirana on June 22, 2024, where its main topic is International Organized Crime and Anti-terrorism, an invitation which was welcomed and will be coordinated in the following days for the details of participation as some guidance is needed in the agenda of the specific event to identify a suitable speaker for the best possible presentation of UNODC at the 3rd International IPO Congress.

During his stay in CCPCJ, Dr. Tomori was accompanied by the Carabinier in Reserve Dr. Ugo Made, a member of the board of directors of the IPO Section Italy as well as Director of the newly unit of IPO “Crime Prevention Research Unit – CPRU”, who in his speech highlighted; the IPO CPRU - Crime Prevention Research Unit, is an initiative created to support law enforcement and citizens through research, scientific and preventive studies.

A support program intended to assist police and other law enforcement agencies in the prevention of crime and dangers that appear in the daily life of the community.

The IPO has a wide network of specialists, experts, analysts, and consultants, who share their experience to help the law enforcement structures in Community Policing as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

Also, our members will have the privilege of learning from our experts and instructors to be part of training teams worldwide and for this reason, we have opened the doors of this unit both for those who want to learn something and for those who want to share their experiences with others. IPO and CPRU welcome you.

IPO News Room