DFA Participates in Webinar Celebrating 28th National Crime Prevention Week

United Nations and International Organizations Deputy Assistant Secretary Noemi T. Diaz (leftmost, 2nd row) represented the DFA in the webinar, “Promoting Regional Cooperation in Crime Prevention in Asia” held on 1 September 2022 in celebration of the 28th National Crime Prevention Week. (NAPOLCOM photo)

12 September 2022 - The Office of the United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) highlighted the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs in the implementation of UN conventions relating to drugs and crime in webinar entitled “Promoting Regional Cooperation in Crime Prevention in Asia” held on 1 September 2022 in a hybrid format.

UNIO Deputy Assistant Secretary Noemi Diaz presented the work of the Department in the United Nations system to achieve consistent, well-coordinated, and principled policies and positions in the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and in multilateral forums and initiatives in the region.

“The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) was established by the Economic and Social Council in 1992 upon the request of the General Assembly.  Its mandate includes improving international and regional action against national and transnational crime and the efficiency and fairness of criminal justice administration systems. The CCPCJ is the preparatory body to the United Nations Crime Congresses,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary Diaz in her presentation.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Diaz also explained the role of the Philippine government agencies who attend and participate in the various meetings. 

The webinar was hosted by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) as part of the week-long celebration of the 28th National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) on 1-7 September 2022. It brought together about 80 participants from various regional institutions and organizations promoting cooperation in crime prevention and criminal justice in Asia. 

Other speakers in the webinar included PBGEN Zaw Lin Tun, Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat; Mr. Graeme Seed, Principal Integrity Specialist of the Office of the Anti-Corruption and Integrity of the Asian Development Bank; Mr. Naoki Sugano, Crime Prevention Criminal Justice Officer of the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific; Prof. Yoshinori Okuda of the United Nations Asia and the Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI); Ms. Alicia Louro-Pena, Program Manager of the  Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines; Atty. Ingrid Rosalie L. Gorre, Senior Advisor of the Technical Assistance Team of GOJUST; and PLTCOL Anthony S. Landig, Director for Operations of the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime.

The first week of September of every year is declared as National Crime Prevention Week, with NAPOLCOM as the lead agency, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 461, dated 31 August 1994. All government agencies and instrumentalities of government are enjoined to evolve and implement projects and activities that focus on prevention as an approach in combating criminality. 

This year’s theme is “Sa new Normal: Sambayanan Magtulungan, Krimen ay Hadlangan Tungo sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran” (In the New Normal: Let’s Work Together to Prevent Crime Towards Achieving Peace and Development). The celebration is aimed to strengthen partnerships with various sectors of the community, building skills and abilities of duty bearers, and stimulating community participation in efforts of preventing crime.  END