NGO participation in the 5th Session

official logo NGO participation in the 5th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Palermo Convention

18 – 22 October 2010, Vienna

More than 120 delegates from a total of 44 Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) attended the Fifth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (CTOC/COP 5), which was held from 18 to 22 October 2010 in Vienna, Austria. The intergovernmental conference discussed the implementation of the Convention and its three Protocols, namely the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms. The session opened with a high-level segment commemorating the tenth anniversary of the signature of the Convention in Palermo.

On this occasion, the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women presented a Joint Statement on behalf of 50 NGOs, addressing the need to establish a victim-centred review mechanism to the Palermo Convention that is both inclusive and comprehensive, involving all stakeholders.

Mr. Yury Fedotov, UNODC Executive Director, who met with NGOs in an informal dialogue session held on 20 October, praised the contribution of NGOs, saying: “Your testimony is crucial in the international debate on the prevention of organized crime and the protection of its victims”. The informal dialogue is an important part of UNODC’s engagement with civil society and is the first official event with NGOs held by the Executive Director since he took office.Group photoSMALL NGO participation in the 5th Session

Furthermore, a significant number of side events and exhibitions have been coordinated by NGOs, covering: victim-centred responses to human trafficking; gangs, armed groups, and guns; and organised crime, white collar crime and corruption. In addition, a demonstration of anti-human trafficking training for prosecutors was held.

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