11th UNTOC COP Side Event: The importance of civil society engagement in the implementation of UNTOC, and how to do it

The launch of the UNTOC Review Mechanism is a major step forward for the advancement of inter-state cooperation to prevent and counter transnational organized crime, but it also provides new opportunities for enhancing state-civil society cooperation on these issues. In many places around the world, civil society individuals and organizations have played a key role in all of society efforts to prevent and counter transnational organized crime. The GI-TOC’s Organized Crime Index has also demonstrated how the support and engagement of civil society plays a key role in building states’ resilience to organized crime. Despite the opportunities that the review mechanism provides, awareness of UNTOC and its engagement mechanisms is low, especially amongst grassroots civil society organizations. This event will feature government and civil society speakers who will explain the importance and value of civil society engagement in UNTOC implementation, and how we can facilitate and enhance the engagement. Panellists will also discuss some of the tools available to facilitate and promote this engagement, including those developed by GI-TOC