A Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation and to achieve common objectives in the field of crime prevention and international justice has been signed between the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The agreement was signed on 3 March in the Magistral Palace in Rome by Antonia Marie De Meo, Director of UNICRI, and the Order of Malta’s Grand Chancellor, Albrecht Boeselager.

During the meeting, the theme of the war in Ukraine, its humanitarian consequences with particular reference to nuclear and bacteriological risks, was discussed. The high risk of a growing illicit trafficking in people, arms and drugs, very frequent in conflicts, was also addressed. Finally, the Director of UNICRI, Antonia Marie De Meo, described the crime prevention and criminal justice training programmes. One of these is the “AI4SaferChildren” initiative: its purpose is to explore the positive potential of Artificial Intelligence to combat online exploitation and sexual abuse of children and to improve cooperation, awareness and advocacy on this issue.

The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute was established in 1968 and is based in Turin. Its mission is to advance justice, crime prevention, security and the rule of law in support of peace, human rights and sustainable development.

In February 2022 the Order of Malta accredited its first representative to the United Nations Organization in the person of Prof. Giovanni Ossola.