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Peace and Security
We can not fight fire with fire. The criminals use ruthless and exploitative methods which we can never contemplate. Human rights must always be at the forefront of efforts to control crime. My second keyword today is integration. Integration is essential at many levels. Nationally, agencies must pull together to fight all aspects of crime. Regionally, states must share information and carry out joint operations. This is not always easy. Lack of capacity and lack of trust often cause problems. Lack of capacity can be overcome. We have seen this in West Africa, where vulnerability to drugs and crime is being reduced thanks to the work of the Economic Community of West African States in support of the Praia Process. The West Africa Coast Initiative involving the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and the Department of Political Affairs is also a good example of the “one UN” approach. I urge you to support similar regional initiatives, like the Santo Domingo Pact launched here at the United Nations today, which has the same aims for Central America and the Caribbean. As for building trust: experience shows that tackling common threats can build confidence and good neighbourly relations between countries that may otherwise have their differences. Initiatives to share information on the drug trade in West Asia, Central Asia and the Gulf are among the examples where this has happened. With transnational threats, States have no choice but to work together. We are all affected – whether as countries of supply, trafficking or demand. Therefore we have a shared responsibility to act. I welcome the Security Council’s Presidential statement of 8 December 2009, in which you called for the issue of drug trafficking and organized crime to be mainstreamed into the UN’s work throughout the conflict cycle. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime continues to carry out important work in providing the evidence on these transnational threats, and the technical assistance with which to respond. Transnational networks create vectors of violence that blaze trails of death and destruction through some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Crime prevention is conflict prevention: together they build safer and healthier societies. Criminal justice should figure more prominently in UN peacebuilding and peace-keeping. Finally, there is a need for timely action. The Council’s most recent Presidential statement also recommended that I provide more information on transnational threats. I will work more closely with all relevant parts of the UN system to bring impending threats to your attention. In return, I urge you to ensure that early warning is followed up by early action. Together, let us prevent drug trafficking and organized crime from threatening international peace and security and all our hard-won work, across our agenda.