The Turin-based United Nations Interregional Institute for Research on Crime and Justice plays a key role in bolstering respect for international law and also in "equitable" economic development, Italy's deputy foreign minister Vice Minister Emanuela Del Re said on Wednesday.
"Over the years, UNICRI's work has been - and still is - significant in promoting fair and efficient criminal justice systems at a national level, in supporting respect for international law and in facilitating executive cooperation and judicial assistance," Del Re told UNICRI's new director Antonia De Meo during a meeting at the foreign ministry in Rome.
At their meeting, De Meo thanked Italy for its support to UNICRI and outlined to Del Re her vision and priorities for institute's development since she took the helm on 1 July.
"Over the years, UNICRI's work has been - and still is - significant in promoting fair and efficient criminal justice systems at a national level, in supporting respect for international law and in facilitating executive cooperation and judicial assistance," Del Re told De Meo.
Italy is counting on UNICRI to continue to help partner countries combat extremism, organized crime, illegal trafficking and illicit financial flows, Del Re said.
"Also to strengthen the rule of law in post-conflict countries, to empower vulnerable groups, especially in these difficult times due to the COVID19 pandemic," Del Re stated.
UNICRI is also "an important resource for achieving equitable and sustainable development," Del Re said.
"This is particularly true for the achievement of objective 16 of Agenda 2030, to mitigate the impact of the crisis on judicial systems, and to ensure a just, equitable and sustainable recovery (from economic ravages of the pandemic)," Del Re underlined.
Del Re assured De Meo that she could count on Italy's "incessant support" during her leadership of UNICRI.
