Organized by: the Government of the Netherlands, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
1.10 - 2.00 p.m. Conference Room MOE79
The nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism is an issue of growing concern and a threat to international security, stability, governance and development. Where links between organized crime and terrorism exist, there are indications of terrorists benefiting from the illicit trafficking of arms, persons, drugs, and cultural property and from the illicit trade in natural resources such as precious metals, minerals, and wildlife. Growing numbers of cases reveal that these linkages have impacts across the globe, even in regions considered more stable and secure.
Transnational organized crime and terrorism represent two of the most complex threats facing the international community today. When analyzing the nexus between terrorism and crime, the distinction between these phenomena can appear blurred. Understanding these links is an important element in efforts to design and implement informed national and international responses to prevent and counter these complex threats.
The side event will discuss the challenges that Member States face in addressing the nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism, and will highlight the assistance that UNICRI and UNODC are providing to support Member States in this regard. Furthermore, it will provide an opportunity for UNICRI to present the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Good Practices on the Nexus between Transnational Organized Crime and Terrorism and the Nexus Policy Toolkit (developed in partnership with the Government of the Netherlands), and for UNODC to discuss the technical and capacity building assistance that it is providing to Member States on organized crime and terrorism. UNICRI and UNODC will also discuss their next steps to support Member States in this area.
High level speakers will include: Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Director, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI); H.E. Mr. Marco Hennis, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN in Vienna; Mr. Masood Karimipour, Chief, Terrorism Prevention Branch, Division for Treaty Affairs, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); Mr. Mahmoud Bayati, Senior Expert to the National Security Adviser, Former Director General of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, Republic of Iraq; Mr. John G. Gachomo, Director, Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, National Police Service of the Republic of Kenya; Mr. Andhika Chrisnayudanto, Director for Regional and Multilateral Cooperation, National Counterterrorism Agency of the Republic of Indonesia. The side event will be moderated by Mr. Leif Villadsen, Senior Programme Officer, UNICRI.