RIYADH — Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saud Bin Naif headed Sunday the Saudi Arabia’s delegation that’s participating in the 14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, being held virtually from Sunday to March 12, 2021 in Kyoto, Japan.

Prince Abdulaziz conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, to conference participants, and their hopes of success for the congress.

In his speech, Prince Abdulaziz said: "The world is facing common challenges that require all of us to confront them, on top of which is the coronavirus pandemic and its health and economic impacts. As president of the Group of Twenty (G20) in 2020, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has coordinated international efforts and pledged $500 million to support efforts to combat the pandemic and to enhance preparedness and response to emergency situations."

He affirmed that developments at the global arena require a rapid development of practical and effective measures to enhance crime prevention and achieve criminal justice, along with the utmost importance of an evaluative review of criminal justice systems and institutions with the aim of implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The minister stated that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the congress comes from its belief in the importance of unifying international efforts and harnessing all energies in order to prevent crime and achieve criminal justice and the rule of law in order to preserve the security and stability of countries, in addition to developing their capabilities in facing crime and the work of criminal organizations.

Prince Abdulaziz said that everyone is looking forward to the outcomes of the congress to contribute to building safe societies and to establish the foundations of confidence among the peoples of the world regarding legal systems.

He pointed out that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms the importance of collective action in order to reduce the gap between developed and developing countries in the various areas of development, adding that Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is fully consistent with the United Nations sustainable development goals.

The minister of interior extended thanks and appreciation to the government of Japan for organizing the congress, and to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for its efforts towards strengthening international cooperation and coordination to combat crime and creating an appropriate climate for the success of sustainable development plans and programs. — SPA