Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
Australian National Statement
Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Richard Sadleir, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations in Vienna
Thank you, President.
At the outset, I extend my congratulations to you on your election as President and wish you every success as you guide our important work.
And our work is important. Transnational organised crime undermines global prosperity and security. It impedes good governance, and harms communities.
This year, our shared prosperity and security has been undermined even further by Russia’s unilateral, illegal and unjustified aggression against the people of Ukraine.
Australia condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s illegal sham annexation of the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. We strongly support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The chaos and instability caused by Russia’s illegal aggression creates fertile ground for transnational organised crime, especially human trafficking – this is unacceptable, and we call for Russia’s immediate withdrawal from all of Ukraine.
President,
In an increasingly globalised world, the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols remain the cornerstone of our joint efforts to address, prevent and respond to transnational organised crime. Their effective implementation is essential.
Strong partnerships and effective engagement with civil society, academia and the private sector are indispensable for an effective response to the complex challenges posed by transnational organised crime. It is four years since the adoption of the Implementation Review Mechanism – we must remain committed to its purpose, and Australia continues to work with key stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability.
President,
Australia continues to support the implementation of strong legal and policy frameworks to suppress criminal activity, including by strengthening asset confiscation laws and money laundering offences. We are also working with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region to counter human trafficking and modern slavery and address risks of exploitation, particularly for women and children. This includes Australia’s work as co-chair, with Indonesia, of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Human Trafficking and Related Transnational Crime, the premier platform in the region to address these issues.
A key priority for Australia is countering child sexual abuse and exploitation. We cooperate with partners in the Indo-Pacific to develop regional policy, legislative and operational responses to this increasingly borderless crime.
We welcome delegates’ participation in a side event on this topic on Friday morning. The event will showcase the efforts of the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation and its law enforcement counterparts in the Philippines and United Kingdom.
President,
We can only solve our biggest problems together. We must talk to each other. And we must listen to each other. Australia looks forward to the discussions this week to advance our shared fight against transnational organised crime.
Thank you.