Iran Statement at 13th UNTOC COP under agenda item 3

Statement by The Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran  before 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime under Agenda Item 3: Other Serious Crimes Including New Forms and Dimensions of Transnational Organized Crime (22 October 2026)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Mr. President,

Organized criminal groups have repeatedly demonstrated their capacity to adapt faster than many legal and institutional responses. Digital technologies have accelerated this transformation and enabled traditional forms of organized crime to merge with new methods, platforms and financial tools.

Organized fraud, cyber-enabled criminal activity and trafficking in cultural property illustrate the diversity of serious crimes that may fall within the scope of UNTOC when the requirements of the Convention are fulfilled.

We believe that the Convention already provides a broad and flexible legal framework for addressing many of these forms of transnational organized crime. Our first priority should therefore be to use existing tools effectively before creating new legal structures.

Mr. President,

Organized fraud deserves particular attention. Criminal networks increasingly exploit artificial intelligence, digital identities, online platforms and cross-border financial mechanisms. Effective responses require stronger investigative capacities, cooperation among competent national authorities and responsible conduct by digital service providers whose systems are exploited for large-scale criminal activity.

Trafficking in cultural property is another serious concern for Iran as a country with an ancient and extensive cultural heritage. Criminal networks exploit multiple transit points, opaque markets and difficulties in provenance verification. Prevention, investigation, recovery and return require practical international cooperation.

Crimes that affect the environment falling within the scope of the UNTOC, likewise demand serious attention. Iran considers UNTOC a sufficiently comprehensive and flexible framework where the Convention's threshold criteria are met. The immediate priority should be stronger domestic implementation, inter-agency coordination, specialized training and access to necessary technology and equipment.

At the same time, not every emerging criminal phenomenon automatically requires a new international legal instrument. Before considering additional norms or protocols, States should identify actual legal and operational gaps, examine underlying causes, assess whether existing tools are being fully utilized.

Mr. President,

The needs of developing countries must remain part of this discussion. Effective responses require practical capacity, and such capacity cannot be built where access to technology, equipment or cooperation is restricted.

Iran therefore supports an evidence-based, balanced, pragmatic and consensus-driven approach to new forms and dimensions of transnational organized crime, with full respect for national sovereignty and domestic legal systems.

I thank you.