Prime Minister Chairs Crime Prevention Congress' Closing Session

Doha, April 19 (QNA) - Doha, April 19 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, who is also Chairman of the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, today chaired the congress' closing session held at Qatar National Convention Centre. The 13th United Nation Congress on Prevention of Crime and Criminal Justice on Sunday unanimously adopted all reports with amendments recommended by high-profile delegates from Member States on Sunday, the last day of the event at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). HE the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior thanked all delegates for their discussions and contributions to the reports, and adopting the Doha Declaration in his concluding remarks before officially closing the Congress. He congratulated Japan who will host the 14th edition of the UN Congress in Tokyo in 2020. UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director Yury Fedotov and representatives from Member States said the Doha Declaration sets the road map for effective crime prevention and criminal justice towards the objectives of safe, peaceful and secure world in their concluding remarks. The Congress adopted the reports of Committee 1 and 2 and Agenda No. 7 today after eight days of discussions over 230 meetings and workshops on how to tackle crimes such as transnational trafficking in persons, weapons, drugs, violence against women and children and new form of emerging crime. HE the Prime Minister of Qatar and Minister of the Interior thanked all delegates in serving the interests of humanity in combating all forms of transnational crimes. In his closing remarks, he said, "The challenges are diverse and unprecedented, but you have been up to the task. You have adopted the Doha Declaration after months of difficult negotiations in Vienna. "You have confirmed you commitment and political will to foster and strengthen the rule of law and prevent all forms of organised crime. You have also contributed to the efforts of the international community in crime prevention and criminal justice." In the Doha Declaration, HE the Prime Minister said, we have agreed to a number of national, regional, and international programmes to fulfil our obligations over the next five years and foster crime prevention and criminal justice with a humane approach. We must adopt a unified approach in meeting the present and future challenges in the rule of law and ensuring sustainable development. He appreciated the work of all delegates comprising high officials, UN agencies, representatives from civil societies and various institutions in drafting recommendations over the last nine days in Doha. "We have agreed upon adopting a humane approach in preventing crime. This Congress has achieved success in urging the implementation of the Doha Declaration and the recommendations over the next five years." "I'm sure you return home with renewed determination to carry out the ambitious plans we have adopted. I'm hopeful we shall meet once again in Tokyo in 2020 after achieving the recommendations of the 13th UN Crime Congress," he said. HE the Minister also mentioned the opportunity give to youth for the first time to share their views on crime prevention and criminal justice at the Doha Youth Forum held from April 7 to 9. The forum's recommendations were presented to the UN Secretary-General. "This initiative calls for safe, secure and a more developed society in all sectors, specially economic, social and cultural. I urge all Member States to integrate the youth forums recommendations into their crime prevention programmes." He said the youth must be taken on board for national, regional and international efforts towards the global community. "During this Congress the State of Qatar launched a Regional Fund to train refugee children and displaced persons who are the most vulnerable groups in conflicts. This effort is part of Qatar's economic, social and cultural policies in crime prevention. Urging delegates, HE the Prime Minister said, "It is incumbent upon all of us to fight under development, poverty, unemployment, crime, global terrorism and all forms of violence and extremism. "We call upon all Member States, in co-operation with the UNODC to follow up on the implementation of recommendations of the Doha Declaration. Qatar will support all these efforts." This conference provided a forum to discuss and exchange ideas, experiences and information, he said. "You have given an example of what United Nations should be; global joint effort should be towards upholding common responsibilities, away from double standards and narrow minded interests. I hope our friends in Vienna and all over the world will help and continue to work to ensure peace, stability and development for all." In his closing remarks, UNODC Chief said the UN Crime Congress set a very high bar for the future, and the task now was to turn the Congress Declaration into action. "This Congress has provided a solid platform for the international community to recognize the tangible links between the rule of law and sustainable development. We must build on those links as we set our sustainable development agenda for the next 15 years," Yury Fedotov said. He listed the many firsts of congress that was the first to have the UN Secretary General, the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Economic and Social Council in attendance. It was also the first, in the 60-year history of crime congresses, to adopt its agenda early, to hold the Doha Youth Forum, and to pass the Doha Declaration on the first day. None of this could have been achieved, he said, without the "wisdom and farsightedness of the Qatari government who have, from the beginning of this long journey, been certain and steadfast about the direction of the congress". He concluded by exhorting delegates with a call to action. "As you take the journey back to your capitals and to your homes, I call on you, in the name of justice and fairness, and human rights, to turn this powerful document into the action that can help people everywhere." In their concluding comments, representatives from European Union, Guatemala, Nigeria on behalf of African nations, Brazil on behalf of G77 plus China, Panama on behalf of Asian Group, Turkey, Paraguay, the Sultanate of Oman, Azerbaijan, and League of Arab States gave a clarion call to take the Doha Declaration and all recommendations forward for peace, stability, and global prosperity. They also congratulated the State of Qatar and HE the Prime Minister of Qatar and Minister of the Interior and President of the 13th UN Crime Congress, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and the National Committee for organising an outstanding Congress. In closing, HE the Prime Minister also conveyed his personal thanks to all delegates, UNODC, UN bodies, High Level and Workshop Chairs as well as the local organising committees for a successful Congress. The Doha Declaration stresses the commitment and political will of Member States to implement comprehensive crime prevention and criminal justice strategies. These policies will work to promote the rule of law nationally and internationally. During the eight-day Congress, more than 4,000 participants attended from 149 countries. The Congress held 230 meetings. These ranged from the rule of law to smuggling of migrants, and from combating wildlife crime to violence against women and children. (QNA)