Implementation of the Kyoto Declaration
At the 14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (Kyoto Congress), which was held in March 2021, participants from all over the world, including ministers of justice and attorneys general, exchanged opinions, and the Kyoto Declaration was adopted as the principal outcome of the Congress.
After the Kyoto Congress, it is important for the UN and the Member States to steadily implement the measures incorporated in the Kyoto Declaration.
Therefore, Japan, as the host country of the Kyoto Congress, has developed the following three initiatives to lead the implementation of the Kyoto Declaration, aiming at promoting the rule of law throughout the international community.
After the Kyoto Congress, it is important for the UN and the Member States to steadily implement the measures incorporated in the Kyoto Declaration.
Therefore, Japan, as the host country of the Kyoto Congress, has developed the following three initiatives to lead the implementation of the Kyoto Declaration, aiming at promoting the rule of law throughout the international community.
Criminal Justice Forum for Asia and the Pacific
The Criminal Justice Forum for Asia and the Pacific（Crim-AP）is a forum organized by the Ministry of Justice of Japan (MOJ) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The “Kyoto Declaration” confirmed the importance of enhancing international cooperation and establishing a regional network among law enforcement agencies. In the Asia-Pacific region including Japan, there is room for improvement of international cooperation due to insufficient understanding of legal frameworks.
Therefore, the MOJ decided to hold a regular conference for further enhancement of the international cooperation by sharing information about each country’s legal framework and practices, establishing a network among regional practitioners.
The “Kyoto Declaration” confirmed the importance of enhancing international cooperation and establishing a regional network among law enforcement agencies. In the Asia-Pacific region including Japan, there is room for improvement of international cooperation due to insufficient understanding of legal frameworks.
Therefore, the MOJ decided to hold a regular conference for further enhancement of the international cooperation by sharing information about each country’s legal framework and practices, establishing a network among regional practitioners.
Forum report
The 1st Criminal Justice Forum for Asia and the Pacific
The 2nd Criminal Justice Forum for Asia and the Pacific
The 3rd Criminal Justice Forum for Asia and the Pacific
The 2nd Criminal Justice Forum for Asia and the Pacific
The 3rd Criminal Justice Forum for Asia and the Pacific
Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness
Today, there are approximately 1.2 billion youths between the ages of 15 and 24 worldwide, accounting for about 15% of the world's population. Youth, the driving force of our future society, is an important stakeholder in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Therefore, it is vital that youth think over and discuss their ideal society with a great deal of hope, and that their voices are incorporated into policies.
In 2018, the United Nations launched the "Youth 2030 Strategy" and expressed its support and encouragement for incorporating the ideas of youth into actions to achieve the SDGs. Japan also organized the "Kyoto Congress Youth Forum" in conjunction with the Kyoto Congress in 2021. The Kyoto Declaration, which is the outcome document of the Kyoto Congress, calls for empowering youth to become active agents of positive change in their communities through organizing such youth forums.
Against this background, the Ministry of Justice of Japan, with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which serves as the secretariat of the Congress, has decided to organize a "Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness" on a regular basis. "A culture of lawfulness" refers to a culture in which the public, in general, respects the law and its enforcement, trusting that they are just and fair. It is one of the important factors which promotes the rule of law in a society. We hope to develop this event together with the youth so that this Youth Forum will be a place where the youth can deepen their understanding of contemporary issues on the rule of law and justice, understand and share their diverse backgrounds and values, and foster networks and friendships, while bringing their voices to the United Nations.
In 2018, the United Nations launched the "Youth 2030 Strategy" and expressed its support and encouragement for incorporating the ideas of youth into actions to achieve the SDGs. Japan also organized the "Kyoto Congress Youth Forum" in conjunction with the Kyoto Congress in 2021. The Kyoto Declaration, which is the outcome document of the Kyoto Congress, calls for empowering youth to become active agents of positive change in their communities through organizing such youth forums.
Against this background, the Ministry of Justice of Japan, with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which serves as the secretariat of the Congress, has decided to organize a "Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness" on a regular basis. "A culture of lawfulness" refers to a culture in which the public, in general, respects the law and its enforcement, trusting that they are just and fair. It is one of the important factors which promotes the rule of law in a society. We hope to develop this event together with the youth so that this Youth Forum will be a place where the youth can deepen their understanding of contemporary issues on the rule of law and justice, understand and share their diverse backgrounds and values, and foster networks and friendships, while bringing their voices to the United Nations.
Forum report
The 1st Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness
The 2nd Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness
The 3rd Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness
The 2nd Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness
The 3rd Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness
New UN Standards and Norms on Reducing Reoffending
Reducing reoffending through rehabilitation and reintegration was an issue of great interest at the Kyoto Congress, and a consensus that international society should promote activities to reduce reoffending was reached. One of the measures to promote this international consensus is to establish new UN standards and norms.
In the past, UN Crime Congresses have triggered the formation of UN standards and norms. For example, the Nelson Mandela Rules (the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners) is now a useful reference for many countries in making policies and practices.
At national level, Japanese government established the National Recidivism Prevention Plan, through which reducing reoffending has been promoted through public-private partnerships among national and local governments and private sector. Such efforts are producing a steady flow of successful results in reducing reoffending in Japan. Based on such experience, Japan will take the lead in the formulation of new UN standards and norms on reducing reoffending.
UNODC'ｓ website
In the past, UN Crime Congresses have triggered the formation of UN standards and norms. For example, the Nelson Mandela Rules (the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners) is now a useful reference for many countries in making policies and practices.
At national level, Japanese government established the National Recidivism Prevention Plan, through which reducing reoffending has been promoted through public-private partnerships among national and local governments and private sector. Such efforts are producing a steady flow of successful results in reducing reoffending in Japan. Based on such experience, Japan will take the lead in the formulation of new UN standards and norms on reducing reoffending.
UNODC'ｓ website