Statement of the Group of 77 and China on the occasion of the Second session
of the Working Group on the Review of the Implementation of the United Nations
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto,
23-27 January 2012, delivered by H.E. Ambassador Antonio García Revilla,
Permanent Representative of Peru
Vienna, 23 January 2012
Mr. President,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. At the outset, I would like to convey our felicitations for the New Year to you and all those present in the room and wish a successful year ahead.
Mr. President,
The fifth Conference of Parties to UNTOC and the Protocols thereto, decided to establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group to consider and explore options and make proposals for the establishment of a mechanism or mechanisms to assist the Conference in the review of the implementation of the Convention and the Protocols thereto and to prepare among others Terms of Reference for such proposed review mechanism or mechanisms for consideration and possible adoption by the Conference at its sixth session.
Today is the second meeting of the Working Group. We have an ambitious agenda before us. Before we begin our discussion agenda-wise, the Group will like to reiterate its understanding of the review mechanism under discussion.
The mechanism shall be transparent, efficient, non-intrusive, inclusive and impartial with full respect to the principle of equality and sovereignty of States Parties. It will assist States Parties in the effective implementation of the Convention and the Protocols thereto, thus ultimately contributing to strengthening cooperation among States parties in preventing and fighting transnational organized crime. It will be non-adversarial and non-punitive and shall promote universal adherence to the Convention and its Protocols. It will not produce any form of ranking and will provide opportunities to share good practices and challenges.
Furthermore, the position of the Group is that the core requirements of the mechanism and its secretariat shall be funded from the regular budget of the United Nations.
Furthermore, the review process shall help States Parties to identify specific needs for technical assistance, as well as promote and facilitate the provision of such assistance towards the implementation of the Convention.
In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China assures you of its support and will fully contribute in the discussion in a constructive manner.
