Statement by  H.E. Dr. Abbas BAGHERPOUR ARDEKANI Director-General for International Legal Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Before The Thirty-Fourth Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Agenda Item 3: General Debate (19-23 May 2025, Vienna)    In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Excellencies and Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to commence by congratulating you, Mr. Chair, upon your deserved election and also commending the Secretariat for convening this session of the Commission. As crimes are becoming more transnational and sophisticated, it becomes self-evident that no country could fight them on its own. Strengthening a genuine collective response through international cooperation is the only option that could ensure an effective fight against crimes.  To that end, compliance of Member States with their obligations arising from the relevant conventions they are party to is of utmost significance. Here, I take the opportunity to inform you that, Iran has recently made the final legislative action for ratification of the UNTOC. Mr. Chairman, In fighting crimes, we shall bear in mind the acute challenges that Member States, in particular, developing countries face. In this context, application of Unilateral Coercive Measures, that are, by nature, against international law continues to impede collective responses to crimes at the international level. We would also like to remind Member States of their international obligations to provide the necessary international cooperation in removing the persistent challenges in asset recovery as an integral part of a collective response to transnational crimes, essential for protecting the rights of victims. Mr. Chairman, We welcome the adoption of the UN Convention against Cybercrime as a foundational step toward establishing a globally inclusive and legally sound framework for cooperation and to counter cybercrime through, including, ensuring timely collection and sharing of evidence in electronic form of a range of cybercrime. A balanced and effective implementation of the Convention, while upholding the core principles of international law, can serve the interests of all countries, to strengthen international cooperation in preventing and combating the use of ICTs for criminal purposes. On Terrorism, all Member States are under obligation to combat this menace and refrain from encouraging, tolerating, or giving shelter to the terrorists. However, in clear defiance of UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, a major European country continues to provide safe heaven to the MKO terrorist cult for shortsighted but futile political purposes. On its part, the Islamic Republic of Iran has manifested its decisive role in the fight against terrorism, including by assisting affected states. Nevertheless, an unwavering resolve of the international community is vital for eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in particular, as we have witnessed heinous terrorist attacks brazenly perpetrated against governmental officials, in particular General Soleimani, who was at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, as well as the terrorist attacks against our scientists. Mr. Chair, During more than seven decades of oppressive occupation, Israeli regime has flagrantly and systematically violated international law, committing war crimes, crime against humanity, and genocide against the innocent Palestinian people of Gaza and elsewhere. The international community and the Member States must hold this regime accountable and bring the perpetrators of these criminal acts to justice. To conclude, may I reiterate that promoting, facilitating, and supporting the widest measures of technical assistance, transfer of technology, financial and material support, and training play a significant role in preventing and combating crimes. In this regard, restrictions and limitations imposed and/or maintained against certain developing countries must be removed and should be without discrimination and away from politicization. Last but not least, we look forward to a constructive and result-oriented discussion in this session of the Commission. Thank you.