26 April 2013: International crime undermines achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and sustainable development, according to Yury Fedotov, Head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in a statement at the 22nd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ). The CCPCJ, which was held from 22-26 April 2013, in Vienna, Austria, adopted resolutions on the rule of law in the post-2015 development agenda and on illicit trafficking in protected species of wild fauna and flora, among others.

The draft resolution on ‘The rule of law, crime prevention and criminal justice in the UN development agenda beyond 2015,’ inter alia: notes drugs and crime as a threat to development; reiterates that advancing the rule of law is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, poverty eradication and human rights; and notes that the High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (HLP) recognizes the importance of the rule of law and access to justice. It also underscores the role of crime prevention, criminal justice and respect for and promotion of the rule of law in guiding the post-2015 agenda.

In his statement, Fedotov noted two opportunities to align work on the rule of law and the post-2015 agenda, the UN High-level Review of the MDGs and the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Justice, both of which will be held in 2015. Fragile and weak states, particularly those affected by conflict, are lagging behind on the MDGs, while also being more vulnerable to crime and drugs, according to Fedotov. He said “crime undermines sustainable development, hinders access to education and employment, and drives away foreign and domestic investors.” Fedotov also announced the creation of three new regional programmes to combat global criminal networks in the Caribbean, Southern Africa and South Asia. [UN Press Release] [UNODC Press Release, 23 April] [UNODC Press Release, 26 April] [CCPCJ Website] [CCPCJ Meeting Report] [IISD RS Story on Wildlife Crime Resolution]