35th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice: MIKTA Statement 

35th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice: MIKTA Statement 

Statement by H.E. Ambassador Ian Biggs, Australia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organisations in Vienna 

1 June 2026

Chair

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of MIKTA—a cross-regional partnership comprising Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye and Australia—with a shared commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation.

MIKTA would like to extend a warm welcome to the new Executive Director, Monica Juma. It is wonderful to have her join us for CCPCJ, and MIKTA looks forward to working constructively on building a UNODC that is effective and resilient and supports this Commission well into the future.

Chair

In recent years, the rapid emergence of new technologies has led to a significant increase in transnational organized crime, with criminal networks taking advantage of sophisticated communications and virtual assets to expand their illegal activities and profit base. Traditional forms of transnational organised crime are evolving, seen in the emergence of sophisticated scam centres, and a concerning rise in human trafficking for the purposes of forced criminality. Alongside this, technology is allowing new crimes, such as sexual extortion, particularly of children, to alarmingly increasing in prevalence.

This context, in which transnational organised crime is continually evolving, requires us to likewise evolve our responses. Recognising that transnational crime presents cross-border threats, MIKTA countries support strengthened judicial cooperation, international collaboration, and capacity-building among Member States. We must promote innovative, forward-looking approaches to prevent crime – especially juvenile crime and violence – before it happens, alongside proportional criminal justice and enforcement measures which respect human rights.

MIKTA supports the CCPCJ’s mandate as the principal policymaking body of the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, and welcomes the CCPCJ's focus on addressing new, emerging and evolving forms of crime.

 Furthermore, MIKTA recognises that as the threats posed by transnational organised crime are expanding, the UNDOC is increasingly constrained by the liquidity crisis. The current impacts on conferences services and translation services underscore the need for sustainable reform.

In particular, attention must be paid to directing resources where they’re most needed and looking at how CCPCJ supports broader criminal justice instruments and systems, avoiding duplication where possible. It is only through such reform that we will be able to expand and preserve the critical functions provided for our regions.     

Chair

 MIKTA  is committed to working closely with all partners to identify practical ways forward, share best practices, and support initiatives that can strengthen international efforts against crime and enhance criminal justice systems. As a group of active and influential middle power democracies, MIKTA will continue to support the multilateral system, protect rules and norms, and find avenues for cooperation among diverse partners. Together, we can build a safer and more resilient future for all.

Thank you.