A/RES/73/188
United Nations African Institute for the Prevention
of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders
Emphasizing that combating crime is a collective endeavour to meet the global
challenge of organized crime and that investment of necessary resources in crime
prevention is important to that aim and contributes to sustainable development,
Noting with concern that in most African countries the existing criminal justice
system does not have sufficiently skilled personnel and adequate infrastructure and is
therefore ill-equipped to manage the emergence of new crime trends, and
acknowledging the challenges that Africa faces in litigation processes and the
management of correctional institutions,
Recognizing that the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of
Crime and the Treatment of Offenders is a focal point for professional efforts aimed
at promoting the active cooperation and collaboration of Governments, academics,
institutions and scientific and professional organizations and experts in crime
prevention and criminal justice,
Bearing in mind the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control (2013–
2017), aimed at encouraging Member States to participate in and own the regional
initiatives for effective crime prevention and good governance and strengthened
justice administration,
Recognizing the importance of promoting sustainable development as a
complement to crime prevention strategies,
Emphasizing the need to create necessary coalitions with all partners in order to
achieve effective crime prevention policies,
Recalling the undertaking and conclusion of a preliminary diagnostic study by
a consultant of the Economic Commission for Africa prior to the commencement of
a full system-wide review process, including the significance of the Institute as a
viable mechanism for promoting cooperation among the relevant entities to respond
to the crime problem afflicting Africa,
Expressing concern over the continued absence of a director of the Institute, and
noting the important role of such senior management positions in ensuring the normal
functioning of the Institute,
Noting with concern that the financial situation of the Institute has greatly
affected its capacity to deliver services to African Member States in an effective and
comprehensive manner, and noting that one of the findings of the preliminary
diagnostic study is that the Institute urgently needs to increase its in come,
Recalling the detailed description provided in the report of the SecretaryGeneral of funding deficiencies that have severely undermined the capacity of the
Institute to serve the needs of the region, and recognizing that crime results in the
expenditure of a significant amount of resources,
Bearing in mind that the Institute is an important component of the United
Nations crime prevention and criminal justice network and that, without the necessary
funds, the Institute will fail to accomplish its vital goals of combating drug
trafficking, cybercrime and environmental crimes, among other challenges, as well as
its goals of reforming the crucial deficiencies in the region ’s prosecution system and
building effective and strong alliances among law enforcement personnel,
professional bodies, academic institutions, individual communities, experts and
traditional and civil authorities in order to proactively prevent crime,
Acknowledging the Member States and organizations that have maintained their
commitment to the fulfilment of their financial obligations,
1.
Commends the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of
Crime and the Treatment of Offenders for its efforts to promote, coordinate and carry
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