Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
United Nations, Dec. 7.- The Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, today described transnational organized crime as a fierce threat to peace, security and sustainable development.
When intervening in the high-level debate convened by Ecuador in the Security Council, the minister called for strengthening cooperation, the rule of law and prevention, as well as promoting inclusion, as key lines of action to confront this scourge.
Transnational organized crime activities take many forms, but the ramifications are the same: weakened governance, corruption and anarchy, open violence, death and destruction, the high representative said.
Illicit financial flows are not abstract figures, he said, they add up to billions of missed development opportunities, lost livelihoods and worsening poverty.
According to UN figures, the African continent loses more money due to tax evasion, money laundering and illicit financial flows than it earns through official development assistance.
The Secretary General recalled the impact of crime as a catalyst for conflicts and the impact of these on the increase in crimes.
From Afghanistan to Colombia, the production and trafficking of illicit drugs fueled brutal and long-lasting conflicts, Guterres recalled.
Haiti is trapped in a vicious cycle of state collapse, escalating gang violence and a growing illicit trade in firearms smuggled into the country, he further warned.
The Secretary General called to remain alert to the constantly changing nature of organized crime and to rethink work approaches.
“Our efforts must be coherent, coordinated, context-specific and prevention-focused,” he said.
In that sense, he recognized the essential role of the Security Council and the need to join forces to confront this scourge.
“Together, let us commit to creating a more peaceful and stable world in which organized crime has no place,” he concluded. (PL) (Photo: PL/Archive)
