The Ministry of Justice of Italy and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) on 25 March 2024 signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This will further their shared goals and objectives regarding the design and implementation of research and technical cooperation programmes in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice.
Honourable Andrea Delmastro Delle Vedove, Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice and Mr. Leif Villadsen, Acting Director of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), signed the MoU on behalf of their respective entities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hon. Delmastro Delle Vedove expressed appreciation for the partnership between Italy and UNICRI. The partnership fulfilled Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 Agenda.
“Italy’s Ministry of Justice is pleased to work with UNICRI on our shared goals. IN particular, our priority areas are countering corruption, confiscation and asset recovery, prison reform and juvenile justice,” he said.
These sentiments were echoed by Mr. Villadsen, who said UNICRI’s areas of focus are aligned with its Strategic Programme Framework 2023-2026. The Programme defines the Institute’s priorities and guides its work in preventing crime and promoting justice and the rule of law.
“UNICRI is keen to continue to partner with Italy, sharing its specialized expertise on the most emerging criminal justice and security threats. For instance, preventing and countering organized crime, terrorism and points of nexus, countering corruption, asset recovery, and prison reform,” he said.
As one of the six UN research and training institutes, UNICRI is the only one with a focus on crime prevention. It also operates in administration of criminal justice, risk mitigation and security, and promoting the application of the rule of law.
Over the years, UNICRI has enjoyed a special relationship with Italy’s main criminal justice and law enforcement institutions. IN the past, they actively and effectively contributed to its technical cooperation programmes.
The MoU represents a step forward in strengthening Italy and UNICRI’s common commitment to the fight against crime. It also helps in contributing to the advancement of Goal 16 of Agenda 2030, when peace and security are under threat in the world.
The signing ceremony took place at UNICRI’s Headquarters at the UN Campus in Turin, in the presence of Marco Giungi. Marco Giungi is the Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of the Global Multilateral Development Cooperation Strategies and Processes Unit in the Directorate General for Development Cooperation and ex-officio member to the UNICRI Board of Trustees representing the Host Country and Michela Favaro, the Deputy Mayor of Turin.
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