The Alliance and the Constructive Dialogues
The organisation of Constructive Dialogues was established as part of the review mechanism of the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC)[1]. They are convened after the conclusion of the various sessions of the five working groups of the Conference of Parties (CoP) on the following thematic areas of the UNTOC: 1. Trafficking in Persons, 2. Smuggling of Migrants, 3. Firearms, 4. International Cooperation, 5. Technical Assistance.
The purpose of the Constructive Dialogues is to promote fruitful engagement with the relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, in the review process and heighten cooperation in the fight against transnational organised crime. They play an important role in helping build trust between States and civil society.
2023 marks the second year in which the UNTOC Constructive Dialogues take place. Since their first appearance, they have grown in participation, focus and importance.
The Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, as the umbrella organisation supporting civil society engagement with the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, has had the opportunity to represent civil society at the Constructive Dialogues that occurred in the first half of the current year, i.e. the Constructive Dialogues on Firearms (5 May) and on Technical Assistance (May 31).
On both occasions, the Alliance has expressed appreciation for the establishment of the Constructive Dialogues and for the stakeholders and donors that facilitate in-person attendance of many participants. The Alliance has also stressed the crucial role that NGOs play in supporting the States in the implementation of the review mechanism, and has highlighted how the fact that civil society cannot participate in the working groups is a weakness of the review process.
The Alliance will continue its efforts in representing civil society and in enhancing NGO participation in the future Constructive Dialogues, which provide a much-needed substantive multi-stakeholder forum.
Programme for the second half of 2023
- Constructive Dialogue on International Cooperation (13 September)
- Constructive Dialogue on Trafficking in Persons (4 October)
- Constructive Dialogue on Smuggling of Migrants (9 October)
Interested representatives of non-governmental stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations (with and without consultative status with the Economic and Social Council), academia and the private sector are invited to apply for participation and can find more information at: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/organized-crime/intro/review-mechanism-untoc/constructive-dialogues.html
[1] For more details see: CoP Resolution 9/1 on the “Establishment of the Mechanism for the Review of the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto”, which contains the Annex on the “Procedures and rules for the functioning of the Mechanism for the Review of the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto”. See also: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/organized-crime/intro/review-mechanism-untoc/home.html.
08 Sep, 2023