FORUM: "Beyond the Catch: Advancing towards Dignity and Decent Work for All in the Sector" World Fisheries Day 2025. The theme this year will highlight the importance of fair labor practices and social protection for fishers. Fisheries and aquaculture provide livelihoods for millions worldwide and are crucial to the economies of coastal and rural areas. Yet, many fishers continue to face unsafe conditions, low wages, and limited access to social protection. Every year on November 21st, the world celebrates World Fisheries Day to recognize the crucial contribution of fishers and fish workers to food security, employment, and sustainable development. The day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect their human and labour rights, ensuring fair, safe, and dignified working conditions across the sector. Celebrating World Fisheries Day is a tribute to the work of fishers and fish workers, as well as a call to strengthen decent work, social dialogue, and sustainability in the sector. Their work must be valued and safeguarded through policies and partnerships that ensure fair, safe, and dignified employment, gender equality, and social justice for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
EVENTS: On November 21st, to mark the World Fisheries Day, the FAO is organizing a virtual event. In celebration of World Fisheries Day 2025, FAO GLOBEFISH is organizing a virtual event titled “Beyond the Catch: Advancing towards Dignity and Decent Work for All in the Sector”. The event will highlight the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in promoting labour rights and ensuring decent work within the fisheries and aquaculture sector to foster dialogue on how stronger governance, enhanced social protection, and greater international cooperation can improve the livelihoods and resilience of fishers and fish workers worldwide. The FAO also supports other events, such as the EAF-Nansen Programme's workshop in South Africa focused on scientific collaboration for sustainable fisheries. Register to participate!
Kirill Buketov, International Policy Officer, Seafood Workers Division, IUF – International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations
Claudia Uribe, CEIPA - Ecuadorian Chamber of Tuna Industrialists and Processors
Tim Hill, CEO/National Director, Stella Maris UK Audun Lem, President of the technical scientific committee at Assoittica Italia 12:45 - 12:55:
Q&A sessionThe audience is invited to pose questions and share experiences Q&A sessionThe audience is invited to pose questions and share experiences 12:55 - 13:00: Closing remarks
FORUM:"TV is changing. Its power remains." World TV Day 2025. TV’s role as an essential element supporting democracy is largely made possible by advertising as a source of funding. Advertising allows media to remain independent and free of political influence. From families gathering around a single screen to witness historic moments and major sporting events, to today’s on-the-go world where news can be streamed on a smartphone during a morning commute, television has transformed into a truly multiplatform experience.
Key messages of this year’s campaign include:
Adapting to modern life: Television now lives on every screen, from the largest living room displays to mobile devices and laptops, meeting viewers wherever they are, whenever they want to watch. Innovation with purpose: While platforms and technology evolve, the role of TV as a source of trusted news, inspiring stories, and cultural milestones remains unchanged. A trusted and reliable source: Even in our hyper-connected, content-saturated age, TV remains one of the most reliable and credible sources of information, upheld by strong editorial standards. A cultural meeting ground: TV continues to unite people through shared moments, fostering conversation, understanding, and cultural experiences across diverse audiences. Teaching about the past, present and future of our world. Should we rely today on public service TV for trusted news, entertainment, education, and more. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Television, #Tvbroadcasting, #WorldTVDay, #21November, #qualityContent, #PayTV , #OTT, #IPTV, #broadband, #androidtv.
EVENT: On November 21st, The ACT (Association of Commercial Television), the egta (Association of TV and radio sales houses), the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and the Global TV Group join forces to promote the power of TV widely across the globe on World TV Day 2025. A new world is about to be discovered, be the first to see it in action. Register to participate!
The egta, ACT and The Global TV Group release a special TV spot to illustrate the strengths of TV - the medium that is watched and loved by billions of people around the world. Watch the TV spot!
FORUM:"My day; My rights." World Children's Day 2025. From the moment the sun rises, children wake up to a world shaped by choices they didn't make. But every child, everywhere, also wakes with rights. Including the right to be protected, to learn, and to have their voice heard. It’s time to listen to children. To understand what their lives are like and how their rights are present, missing, or pursued every day. Let’s amplify children’s voices and stand up for the rights of every child. How are you living child rights every day? If you had the whole world's attention, what would you tell them about your days and rights?; Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldChildrensday, #20November; #ForEveryChild, #EveryRight.
Children will ‘take over’ high-visibility roles in media, politics, business, sport and entertainment normally held by adults to shine a spotlight on issues that matter to them.
On November 20th, Illumination ''Turn the world blue.''.
Landmark buildings around the world will light up blue on the day to show support for child rights. Wear something blue, change your profile picture online and help raise awareness.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified treaty in history. Signed 36 years ago today, it affirms a simple truth: When we protect the youngest members of the human family, we build a better world.
But right now, children’s rights are under attack. Poverty and emergencies are stealing education. Climate chaos is jeopardizing futures.
And new dangers lurk in the online world. Too many children already carry burdens far beyond their years, earning income or caring for siblings.
And famine and war have robbed thousands of the most basic right of all: The right to life. Every child’s circumstances are unique.
But every child has the same rights, no matter who they are or where they live. This World Children’s Day, let us listen to children. And let us amplify their voices as they stand up for their rights.
The future is defined by how we care for the next generation. We must unite to build a safe and equal world for every child.
António Guterres.
TAKE ACTION: Listen to children, stand up for the rights of every child, every day.
Children and young people are powerful agents of change, bringing new ideas and perspectives that can help shape a better world for all of us. Explore messages and profiles from children and young people speaking out for children's rights, and access resources to hold your own conversations.
PUBLICATION: The State of the World’s Children 2025 - Ending child poverty: Our shared imperative. Far too many children live in poverty, deprived of financial resources and essentials like schooling and sanitation. But child poverty is not inevitable. Countries have shown what is possible when they prioritize children. What we need now is commitment to implement proven strategies, to innovate as crises converge, and to keep an unwavering focus on the rights of every child. Read the full report
The following are the specific objectives:
i. To promote sustainable industrialization amongst the AU Member States for
adoption by identifying and showcasing policy models and best practices that
can be replicated across Africa.
ii. To foster regional integration by strengthening inter AU member state and
Regional Economic Communities (RECs) coordination on industrial
development.
iii. To provide a platform for the African Youth Startups and Women led enterprises
for networking and access to investment opportunities.
iv. To encourage the development of industrial infrastructure through policy
discussion and agreement on strategies that support industrial growth and
regional integration.
v. To enhance policy recommendations and continental regulatory industrial policy
frameworks such as AIDA and IDDA III, and guidelines for promoting sustainable
industrialization, regional integration, and innovation in Africa.
3. EXPECTED OUTCOMES
3.1The following are the expected outcomes:
i. Replicable sustainable industrialization policy models and best practices are
identified and showcased for African Union member states.
ii. Strengthened Inter AU member state and REC coordination on industrialization
iii. Intra-African trade and investment in industrial sectors are increased especially
among women and the youth.
iv. Industrial policy strategies for industrial infrastructure development identified to
support industrial growth and regional integration.
v. Actionable policy recommendations and guidelines for promoting sustainable
industrialization, regional integration, and promoting innovations in Africa
identified.
4. WHO WILL ATTEND
4.1 The AIW2025 will draw participants among others from African Union member states,
Regional Economic Communities; UN agencies; Regional and International DevelopmentFinance Institutions; representatives of the private sector, civil society, Youth start-Ups,
African Women in Processing involved in the industrialization agenda in the continent.
Inclusion of women and youth start-ups ensures that the future leaders and innovators
get a chance to voice their creative ideas and get invaluable exposure, as well as for
achieving gender parity in industry and promoting women empowerment.
5. FORMAT
5.1. The week will have several events led by different organizations and these will include
high-level event which will be marked by speeches from dignitaries on Africaindustrialization Day. It will also have side events which will include presentations, Panel
discussions on topical issues that will contribute to realizing the objectives. Apart from
these, Youth and women will exhibit their value added products and innovations to
potential buyers and investors.
On Africa Industrialization Day, we celebrate the continent’s determination to transform its economies and build a sustainable future for all.
Across Africa, green industries are expanding — powered to a great extent by the ingenuity and entrepreneurship of women and youth.
At the same time, the African Continental Free Trade Area is opening a new era of opportunity — creating a unified market and laying the foundations for sustainable supply chains and shared prosperity across the region.
Yet challenges remain. Climate change, mounting debt, and food and energy insecurity all pose threats to Africa’s growth.
This year’s theme — Transforming Africa’s Economy through Sustainable Industrialization, Regional Integration, and Innovation — highlights the urgent need for an industrial future that is both green and digitally connected.
To get there, we must reform the global financial architecture. That means delivering real debt relief, tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, and giving developing countries a more meaningful role in the economic institutions that govern their fate.
Sustainable industrialization is vital to unlocking Africa’s full potential and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Let us work together to harness creativity, deepen regional ties, and ensure that Africa’s growth benefits both people and planet.
United Nations Secretary-General.
Draft Agenda & Programme of Work
Africa Youth Startups Forum (AYSF 2025).
Day One: Tuesday, 18th November 2025 Focus: Showcasing Youth Innovations & Unlocking Finance.
Day Two: Wednesday, 19th November 2025 Focus: Deal-making, Mentoring and Clinics.
Day Three: Thursday, 20th November 2025 Focus: AID Day & Recognition of Youth Innovations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
A. African Union Commission
i. Mr. William Simwanza,
Expert
Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals
P.O Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
simwanzaw@africanunion.org
ii. Mr. Robine Okello,
Industrial Policy and Economic Transformation Expert
Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM)
P.O Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
robineo@africanunion.org
B. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Republic of Uganda
i. Mr. Denis Ainebyona,
Commissioner for Industry and Technology,
Department of Industry and Technology,
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives,
Email: denis.ainebyona@mtic.go.ug
Email : dainebyona@yahoo.com.
ii. Ms. Berna Nakkazi
Senior Industrial Officer,
Department of Industry and Technology
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
Email: Berna.nakkazi@mtic.go.ug, Email : bernieritah@gmail.com
This year's campaign – ‘We’ll Always Need the Toilet’ – calls for action to protect and
expand access to sanitation in the face of mounting challenges: ageing infrastructure, rising
demand, low investment, and the impact of climate change.
Here we unpack the key messages of the campaign:
“In a changing world, one thing is constant: we’ll always need the toilet. No matter what lies
ahead, we will always rely on sanitation to protect us from diseases and keep our
environment clean. Today, billions of people still live without a safe toilet — with the
poorest, especially women and girls, worst affected.”
• A “safe toilet” is shorthand for ‘safely managed sanitation’, which means a toilet that is
not shared with other households, that either treats or disposes of human waste on site,
stores it safely to be emptied and treated off site, or connects to a functioning sewer and
treatment plant.
• Sanitation is a human right – entitling everyone to affordable and accessible sanitation
services, in all spheres of life.
• Inadequate sanitation lets human waste and wastewater contaminate the environment,
especially in densely populated areas. Children are particularly vulnerable to diseases,
such as cholera, which are spread by exposure to untreated waste.
• Unsafe or absent sanitation endangers people and perpetuates inequalities. Without
access to clean, functional, lockable, gender-segregated toilets, women, girls, older
people and people with disabilities cannot fully participate in public spaces, workplaces
and education.
• Lack of safe, private toilets and washing facilities in schools contribute to many girls
regularly missing school days, particularly during menstruation. • Human waste, if untreated, can contaminate rivers, lakes, and groundwater with harmful
pathogens and nutrients, and contribute to water scarcity by making water unsafe to use.
“As time goes by, the pressure on sanitation is only increasing. Across the world, ageing
infrastructure is failing. Investment hasn’t kept pace with demand. And climate change is
reshaping our world — with glaciers melting, weather worsening, and sea levels rising.”
• Ageing sanitation infrastructure is failing in many parts of the world. Systems built
decades ago are breaking down under pressure from growing demand and extreme
weather.
• Climate change is making water more scarce and unpredictable. Glaciers, ice caps and
snow fields are rapidly disappearing. Volatility of meltwater flows can affect the
regulation of freshwater resources for vast numbers of people in lowland areas,
disrupting and damaging sanitation services.
• Increased flooding and rising sea levels can inundate and damage sanitation
infrastructure, such as toilets, sewerage and wastewater treatment facilities,
contaminating land, water resources and local ecosystems with faecal matter.
• Poorly managed wastewater and sanitation systems are significant sources of
greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane and nitrous oxide, contributing to the
effects of the climate crisis, such as accelerating glacial loss.
“We urgently need to invest in ‘future-ready’ sanitation today. Together, we must ensure
toilets are: accessible to all; resilient to floods, droughts and other climate shocks;
minimize greenhouse gas emissions; and, are supported by strong systems and sustained
investment.”
• Safely managed sanitation is essential for a resilient and more sustainable society, and
drives progress across the 2030 Agenda, particularly in health, gender equality,
livelihoods and environmental protection.
• Sanitation services must be resilient to climate-related disasters – able to withstand and
be sustained during and after these events or recover quickly to protect public health.
• Safely managed sanitation, including safely reusing treated wastewater as a source of
water, nutrients and energy, is critical to reducing emissions, protecting ecosystems, and
building a circular economy.
• Local and national authorities should allocate and increase sustained funding to
sanitation and include it in plans for emergency response and climate mitigation and
adaptation.
• Governments have a duty to protect sanitation workers by ensuring legal protections,
safe working environments, and fair wages. Employers should provide training, safety
equipment, and access to healthcare.
In a world reshaped by rising climate pressures, urban growth, and inequality, safe sanitation remains a cornerstone of public health and human dignity.
The humble toilet is an icon of progress – preventing disease, protecting the environment, and preserving dignity and opportunity.
Without safe sanitation, sustainable development falters.
Contaminated water can spread diarrhoeal illnesses, which kill over 1,000 children a day.
Untreated human waste pollutes ecosystems and fuels greenhouse gas emissions.
And for millions of women and girls, the lack of a secure toilet means missed work and school.
In the past decade, 1.2 billion people gained access to safe sanitation. But 3.4 billion are still at risk –– marginalized by geography, income, or disability. Meanwhile, climate change and ageing infrastructure are straining waste systems.
This World Toilet Day, it’s time to speed up access to future-ready toilets that are accessible, climate-resilient, low-emission; and well-funded.
The toilet is a mundane marvel. And access to one is a matter of rights, and survival.
Let’s make safe sanitation a reality for all.
António Guterres.
Statement of the UN-Water Chair on World Toilet Day 2025; November 19th.
Sanitation systems save lives. That’s a fact.
But rising demand, climate change, and insufficient investment are pushing these fragile systems to breaking point.
Globally, 3.4 billion people still lack safely managed sanitation, and 354 million go to the toilet in the open.
Untreated human waste spreads diseases and pollutes the environment, undermining health, dignity and opportunity, especially for women and girls.
As the times become more turbulent, we need safe sanitation to build vital resilience, because no matter how much the world changes, our need for toilets never will.
Sanitation is essential for people, prosperity and the planet – making it a central priority in the United Nations’ work.
In recent decades, we have supported governments to ensure billions of people gained access to safe toilets – 1.2 billion people in the past ten years alone.
This shows what is possible when governments and the international community act together.
This World Toilet Day, we need to commit to much faster and greater progress.
We urgently need to invest in ‘future-ready’ sanitation that is accessible, climate-proof, low-emission, and fully-financed.
Let’s work together to make toilets fit for the future — now.
Alvaro Lario.
Statement of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Water on World Toilet Day 2025; November 19th.
Happy World Toilet Day.
From time to time throughout human history, despite how much world has changed, the need for safely managed sanitation has always remained. Humans need safe sanitation, and in this case… toilets – to sustain their lives and livelihoods.
It is not something we can ever take for granted.
Unfortunately, even as global progress on access to safe sanitation continues to grow, billions of people still face daily challenges in accessing toilet. Women and girls are most affected with the absence of safe sanitation.
The pursuit to ensure sanitation for all is a collective fight for humanity’s future. We have seen time and again how the lack of access to safely managed sanitation leads to outbreaks of disease, environmental degradation, and even economic hardship.
Our changing world presents new challenges. Disasters, climate change, and prolonged humanitarian emergencies are among the present challenges that limits access to safe sanitation.
But beyond just challenges – the rapid changing world also offers new opportunities and solutions. Innovations and technologies can and must be harnessed to accelerate efforts in ensuring sanitation for all.
As we commemorate this year’s World Toilet Day, let us take a moment to reflect on the importance of safe sanitation and toilets in our lives. Let us also take part in the global efforts of ensuring safely managed sanitation for all.
Spread the world about the importance of toilets – talk about it with your friends and families, post it on social media, support government or community initiatives near you on building access to safe toilets, or contribute in any way you can.
Through those simple acts, we all will be part of a global movement that changes the world.
We’ll always need the toilet, and we are the change that the world’s sanitation needs.
Once again Happy World Toilet Day!
Retno L.P. Marsudi.
Statement of the Executive Director United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on World Toilet Day 2025; November 19th.
Sanitation in a Changing World is the theme of this year’s World Toilet Day and a stark reminder that while our world is impacted by rising climate risks, the need for safe sanitation never changes. Globally, the climate crisis risks rolling back hard-won progress on safely managed sanitation for millions of children, preventing them from living a life of health, dignity, and opportunity. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods and droughts can overwhelm sanitation systems, leaving communities vulnerable to diseases and struggling to maintain even basic sanitation services.
The good news is that we have solutions. As the co-founder and leader of the Climate Resilient Sanitation Coalition, UNICEF and key partners are working with Governments and communities around the world to accelerate progress on safe sanitation that can withstand climate shocks.
On this World Toilet Day, UNICEF is calling for stronger investment in climate-resilient sanitation — systems designed to endure extreme weather and environmental changes, while minimizing contributions to the climate crisis. Together, we can accelerate action so that every child, everywhere, has access to life-saving sanitation.
FORUM: “Lost talents.” World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2025. Every year, millions more road victims are added to the current toll of over 50 million killed and hundreds of millions injured since the first road death. It is an actual pandemic, affecting primarily our vulnerable and our young, which in addition to the trauma of injury and bereavement has also a devastating economic impact for countries, communities and families. Therefore, during the Decade of Action 2021-2030, the World Day has an important role of helping to achieve the 50% road casualty reduction target. When people are killed or severely injured in road traffic collisions before their time, the world loses more than just individuals — it loses their potential, their ideas, their future impact on society. They become lost talents. And lost talents become the soul of our platform. The emptiness left behind after someone is killed or severely injured on the road is powerfully conveyed through scenes of an empty stage, a deserted sports field, or a quiet room — spaces where their presence is deeply missed, and their absence is painfully felt. The objectives of WDoR 2025 are to provide a platform for road traffic victims and their families to remember all people killed and seriously injured on the roads, to Acknowledge the crucial work of the emergency services, to draw attention to the generally trivial legal response to culpable road deaths and injuries and advocate for an appropriately serious response, to advocate for better support for road traffic victims and victim families and to promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries.Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #Roadsafetydecade, #RoadVictims, #WDoR2024, #19November, #RoadTrafficVictimsDay.
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: The statistic that “of all-cause mortality, road traffic injury remains the leading cause of death for children and young people” is straight-forward and haunting. That’s why we let it speak for itself and directly use it as the main message of our “Lost talents” campaign.
FORUM: "Reflecting on Tolerance"International Day for Tolerance 2025. The "principle of tolerance" can refer to several concepts, most commonly: the social and ethical idea of accepting and respecting diverse beliefs, behaviors, and identities, even if one disagrees with them; and the logical principle that two instances are similar enough to be treated as the same for a given purpose. Socially, tolerance is a cornerstone of peaceful coexistence, allowing individuals to live freely without imposing their views on others. In logic and philosophy, it relates to the choice of language and systems, as with the "principle of tolerance" proposed by Rudolf Carnap for creating new logical systems. The acceptance of different beliefs, actions, and cultures, acknowledging that people have the right to live their own lives, even if their views differ from your own. olerance equires respect and appreciation for human diversity, not indifference or weakness. It means that one's own views should not be imposed on others. The Principle of Tolerance is consistent with human rights and encourages peaceful coexistence by ensuring everyone can live in peace and dignity. The concept of Tolerance, highlighted by philosophers like Karl Popper, questions whether a society should tolerate those who are intolerant. Some argue that a tolerant society must preserve itself and therefore has the right to suppress intolerant ideologies that would undermine its own liberties and freedoms. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #tolerance, #16November, #InternationalDayforTolerance, #ToleranceDay.
FORUM: "Follow the money. Stop organized crime." International Day for the Prevention of andFight Against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime 2025. This year’s theme, “Follow the money. Stop organized crime.”, highlights how illicit profits drive transnational organized crime. Each year, these crimes generate billions in illicit proceeds, infiltrating economies and supply chains, undermining governance and ultimately causing immense harm to people and planet. With nearly every form of organized crime, whether it’s drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, trafficking in persons, crimes that affect the environment or cyber fraud, there is a money trail. By following the money and exposing this trail, we can cut their lifeline and disrupt organized criminal networks. We call on governments, policymakers, law enforcement, the financial sector, digital platforms, civil society and the public to play their part in stopping organized crime. From strengthening cooperation and financial investigations to safeguarding digital spaces and exposing scams, everyone has a role to Stop Organized Crime.Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #StopOrganizedCrime, #UNTOC_ReviewMechanism, #TOCday, #15november, #OrganizedFraud, #organizedCrime, #UNTOC.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention againstTransnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), widely known as the Palermo Convention, on 15
November 2000 and its two protocols- Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in
persons, Especially Women and Children, and Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land,
Sea and Air. On 31 May 2001, the General Assembly adopted its third protocol- Protocol against
the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their parts and Components and
Ammunition. The Convention established the first globally legally binding and comprehensive
framework to strengthen national capacities and promote international cooperation to prevent
and combat transnational organized crime, both in its traditional manifestations and its new,
evolving and emerging forms.
In March 2024, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/78/267, proclaiming November 15th as International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms ofTransnational Organized Crime. The observance is intended to raise global awareness of the grave
threat posed by organized crime, foster stronger cooperation among States, and reinforce
collective commitment to the full and effective implementation of UNTOC and its Protocols.
The 2025 International Day commemoration, the second of its kind, carries special significance.
It marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the UNTOC and its Protocols against Trafficking
in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants, as well as the 20th anniversary of the entry into force
of its third Protocol on Firearms. This milestone commemoration offers a unique opportunity to
take stock of progress achieved, honour those who have dedicated their lives to advancing the
anti-crime agenda, and renew efforts to ensure that the Convention is fully and effectively
implemented to uphold the vision of global justice, cooperation and security enshrined in it.
The commemoration will convene high-level representatives, diplomats, youth leaders, civil
society actors and experts in a ceremony designed to showcase political will, joint commitment
and shared vision in the fight against organized crime.
AGENDA PROGRAMME
Time Agenda Speaker
13:15 – 13:20 Opening remarks • H.E. Mr. Maurizio Massari, Ambassador and
Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN
13:20 – 13:32 Key Interventions
(6 min each)
• H.E. Ms. Chiara Colosimo, President of the
Italian Parliament's Antimafia Commission
(Video statement)
• Ms. Xiaohong Li, Representative of the UNODC
New York Liaison Office
13:32 – 14:10 Interventions by
co-organizers
(3-4 min each)
• H.E. Mr. Luis Felipe Ugarelli, Director General of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru
• H.E. Mr. Bart De Wolf, Ambassador and Deputy
Permanent Representative of Belgium to the UN
• H.E. Mrs. Alejandra Hernandez Gonzalez,
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent
Representative of the Dominican Republic to
the UN
• H.E. Mr. Umetsu Shigeru, Ambassador and
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to
the UN
• Mr. Stefan Pretterhofer, Deputy Permanent
Representative of Austria to the UN
• Ms. Majda Moutchou, Deputy Permanent
Representative of Morocco to the UN
• Mr. Robert Pulver, Chief of the DPO/OROLSI
Justice and Corrections Service
14:10 – 14:25 Interventions from
the floor
14:25 – 14:30 Closing remarks • H.E. Ambassador Mr. Maurizio Massari,
Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN
• Ms. Xiaohong Li, Representative of the UNODC
New York Liaison Office
Investigate financial transactions: Track money through bank accounts, utility bills, and other financial records to find connections between criminals and their networks. Prosecute masterminds: By tracing illicit financial flows, investigators can link lower-level criminals to the high-level masterminds and corrupt networks. Use financial intelligence: Organizations like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) set international standards for combating money laundering and terrorism financing, providing a framework for investigation.
Gather evidence: Financial transactions can provide crucial evidence for building a case, such as exposing bribery and corruption.
Broader strategies to stop organized crime
Strengthen international cooperation: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and international bodies like the UNTOC work to improve cooperation and intelligence sharing among nations to combat transnational crime. Implement multi-layered prevention: This includes a "Four P" approach (Prepare, Prevent, Pursue, and Protect) that combines various methods like security systems and surveillance. Safeguard digital spaces: Acknowledge and address the role of digital platforms and online scams in organized crime. Build a skilled workforce: Ensure law enforcement agencies have a workforce equipped with the skills for intelligence analysis, surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration to tackle the complexity of organized crime.
25 years ago today, countries united under one commitment: to work together to Stop Organized Crime. Today, we celebrate 25 years of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. 25 years of partnerships, progress and protection for people and communities worldwide.
The world is at a crossroads when it comes to dealing with illicit economies. Organized crime is undermining democracy, the sovereignty of states, and even international peace and security. The rules-based order that has prevailed for decades is now being exploited by those who don’t play by the rules. Criminal groups are some of the biggest profiteers. Illicit economies reflect broader socio-economic, political and geopolitical processes, because criminals are often the ones who adapt first and take advantage of disruptions such as geopolitical competition, rapid technological innovation, violent conflicts, trade wars and the erosion of democracy. So, the Global Organized Crime Index is not just a tool for measuring crime: it is a mirror reflecting what is going on within states and the international system. Since this is our third edition, we now have three data sets that enable us to track and compare how criminal markets and actors have evolved over the past five years. Among the findings the data of this edition of the Index identifies is that there have been several shifts in the global criminal economy. For example, synthetic drugs and cocaine are rapidly dominating world drug markets. This shows the ability of criminal actors to capitalize on changing consumer preferences, technological developments in production and increasingly interconnected trafficking networks. At the same time, this Index shows a significant and rapidly growing trend: a rise in non-violent forms of crime such as financial and cyber-dependent crimes. These ‘invisible’ forms of organized crime are less reliant on traditional violent methods or corruption, but have become more embedded in transnational financial and digital systems. And they are often harder to detect. Despite the absence of violence in these illicit economies, they still cause untold harm. Financial fraud and cyber-dependent crimes have high costs for their victims – individuals, businesses and states. Counterfeiting, another silent crime, is also becoming more pervasive, the Index finds. Inflation, weak economies, job insecurity and trade wars are fuelling this market as consumers with less purchasing power seek cheaper products. This year’s Index also shows that, while state-embedded actors are the most prevalent criminal actors, yet again, foreign actors registered the sharpest overall increase since the last Index in 2023. This suggests criminal groups are increasingly mobile and that there is closer transnational cooperation between them. Private sector actors are also playing an increasingly significant role in illicit economies, particularly as facilitators of criminal activity, for example in logistics, finance and technology. In addition to analyzing criminal markets and actors, the Index measures resilience. While many criminal markets are witnessing growth, resilience scores appear to have plateaued. An example of this is international cooperation. While this indicator usually outperforms the other 11 resilience indicators, an increasingly fractured international system and a retreat from multilateralism suggest that states are less willing to cooperate to fight crime. This is a worrying trend, not least in this year when we mark the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. That said, the trajectories of crime can be changed. For example, the Index shows that, statistically, by strengthening key areas of resilience we can reduce the influence of state-embedded actors over illicit activities to a measurable degree, while stronger response measures can shift communities, even societies, into a more positive direction. The Index is both a record of vulnerabilities and a tool for solutions. By charting trends, risks and trajectories across every country, the Index provides a foundation for action to guide reforms, to strengthen institutions and to empower civil society. Its continuity across editions makes it possible to track change over time, offering not only a mirror of today’s realities, but also a compass for the choices that lie ahead. We therefore invite governments, policymakers, civil society and international actors to use the Index as a shared evidence base to transform knowledge into policy, and urgency into action.
