Deputy Minister Della Vedova has participated today, with a video message, in the High-level Debate on Urban Safety, at the UN General Assembly.
The event, held in a hybrid format, has been organized to implement Resolution No. 75/196 on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, for which Italy was one of the sponsoring countries.
The debate, introduced by the speeches of the President of the General Assembly and the Executive Director of UNODC, has focused on the risk factors undermining the security of urban centres and the possible initiatives that could be taken to counter metropolitan criminal groups, protect the most vulnerable citizens and promote the development of safe, resilient and inclusive cities, in accordance with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Deputy Minister has highlighted the challenges inherent in the transformation of urban areas, which, while offering unique opportunities for economic and social development and expanding access to services, also entails risks associated with poverty, violence, crime and pollution. Building safe and resilient urban spaces – Deputy Minister Della Vedova has said – must be centred not only on economic growth and the prevention and prosecution of crime, but also on the involvement of civil society and improved access for the most vulnerable people to health and housing services and education, which means that protecting cities primarily requires guaranteeing citizens’ human rights and fundamental freedoms.
