Reconvened 34th Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) agenda Item 9：Follow-up to the Fourteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and preparations for the Fifteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
2025/12/5
Thank you, Chair.
1. Follow-up to the Fourteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Japan would like to begin by reiterating its sincere appreciation to all who contributed to the successful organization of the Kyoto Congress and to all participants who joined us from around the world.
It is deeply meaningful that this reconvened session of the CCPCJ is the final Commission meeting between the Kyoto and Abu Dhabi Congresses.
Among others, and the Kyoto Declaration highlighted three priorities: (1) Promoting measures to reduce reoffending, (2) Advancing youth empowerment in the field of criminal justice, and (3) Strengthening international cooperation and regional networks of law-enforcement authorities.
As a country that places strong emphasis on effective crime prevention, Japan has been committed to ensuring that the Kyoto Declaration serves not merely as a document on paper, but as a living framework for action.
With this objective in mind, over the past five years, Japan has undertaken various initiatives to realize these three goals set out in the Kyoto Declaration, and I would like to briefly highlight some of these efforts.
(1) Promoting measures to reduce reoffending
First, in order to promote measures to reduce reoffending, Japan led the development of the United Nations Model Strategies on Reducing Reoffending, or "the Kyoto Model Strategies". The Kyoto Model Strategies was adopted at the 34th session of the CCPCJ and it is expected to be adopted by the General Assembly this month.
To ensure the Kyoto Declaration serves as a living instrument, Japan will continue supporting efforts to reduce reoffending, including by promoting the use of the Kyoto Model Strategies, raising international awareness of Japan’s volunteer probation officer system ("Hogoshi"), and sharing experience on rehabilitation in correctional settings.
In promoting the Kyoto Model Strategies, UNAFEI (United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders) is playing a central role. UNAFEI is a United Nations-affiliated institute that provides training and technical assistance in the fields of crime prevention and criminal justice. For example, UNAFEI hosted a meeting in October 2025 with experts from about 20 countries to promote the effective use of the Kyoto Model Strategies, and will hold another meeting in January 2026 on rehabilitation and social reintegration.
(2) Advancing youth empowerment in the field of criminal justice
As a second initiative, in response to the Kyoto Declaration’s emphasis on the importance of strengthening the empowerment of youth in the field of justice, Japan has been organizing the Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness.
This forum is designed to help young people deepen their understanding of contemporary challenges related to the rule of law and justice, and to share and appreciate one another’s backgrounds and values.
The third Forum, held in February 2025, brought together 79 young participants from 35 countries for active discussions on AI and digital technologies in the justice sector.
(3) Strengthening international cooperation and regional networks
As a third initiative, in response to the Kyoto Declaration’s call for strengthening international cooperation in addressing crime and for building regional networks among law enforcement authorities, Japan has been organizing the Asia–Pacific Criminal Justice Forum.
This forum aims to further promote international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region by fostering mutual understanding and trust among criminal justice practitioners, facilitating the sharing of expertise, and enhancing collaboration.
The fourth Forum, held in June 2025, gathered practitioners from 22 countries and organizations to exchange views on mutual legal assistance frameworks and community-based approaches to reducing reoffending.
2. Preparations for the Fifteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Turning to the next point, Japan wishes to express its deep respect and gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for its dedicated leadership in preparing for the Abu Dhabi Congress.
As the host country of the Kyoto Congress, Japan expects the UAE to carry forward the spirit of the Kyoto Congress, assess progress and challenges, and lead further advancement.
Japan stands ready to fully cooperate with the UAE. In this spirit, UNAFEI is now working closely with UNODC as a co-organizer of the workshop on building resilient societies with a focus on protecting women, children and youth.
Japan sincerely hopes for the great success of the Abu Dhabi Congress.
1. Follow-up to the Fourteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Japan would like to begin by reiterating its sincere appreciation to all who contributed to the successful organization of the Kyoto Congress and to all participants who joined us from around the world.
It is deeply meaningful that this reconvened session of the CCPCJ is the final Commission meeting between the Kyoto and Abu Dhabi Congresses.
Among others, and the Kyoto Declaration highlighted three priorities: (1) Promoting measures to reduce reoffending, (2) Advancing youth empowerment in the field of criminal justice, and (3) Strengthening international cooperation and regional networks of law-enforcement authorities.
As a country that places strong emphasis on effective crime prevention, Japan has been committed to ensuring that the Kyoto Declaration serves not merely as a document on paper, but as a living framework for action.
With this objective in mind, over the past five years, Japan has undertaken various initiatives to realize these three goals set out in the Kyoto Declaration, and I would like to briefly highlight some of these efforts.
(1) Promoting measures to reduce reoffending
First, in order to promote measures to reduce reoffending, Japan led the development of the United Nations Model Strategies on Reducing Reoffending, or "the Kyoto Model Strategies". The Kyoto Model Strategies was adopted at the 34th session of the CCPCJ and it is expected to be adopted by the General Assembly this month.
To ensure the Kyoto Declaration serves as a living instrument, Japan will continue supporting efforts to reduce reoffending, including by promoting the use of the Kyoto Model Strategies, raising international awareness of Japan’s volunteer probation officer system ("Hogoshi"), and sharing experience on rehabilitation in correctional settings.
In promoting the Kyoto Model Strategies, UNAFEI (United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders) is playing a central role. UNAFEI is a United Nations-affiliated institute that provides training and technical assistance in the fields of crime prevention and criminal justice. For example, UNAFEI hosted a meeting in October 2025 with experts from about 20 countries to promote the effective use of the Kyoto Model Strategies, and will hold another meeting in January 2026 on rehabilitation and social reintegration.
(2) Advancing youth empowerment in the field of criminal justice
As a second initiative, in response to the Kyoto Declaration’s emphasis on the importance of strengthening the empowerment of youth in the field of justice, Japan has been organizing the Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness.
This forum is designed to help young people deepen their understanding of contemporary challenges related to the rule of law and justice, and to share and appreciate one another’s backgrounds and values.
The third Forum, held in February 2025, brought together 79 young participants from 35 countries for active discussions on AI and digital technologies in the justice sector.
(3) Strengthening international cooperation and regional networks
As a third initiative, in response to the Kyoto Declaration’s call for strengthening international cooperation in addressing crime and for building regional networks among law enforcement authorities, Japan has been organizing the Asia–Pacific Criminal Justice Forum.
This forum aims to further promote international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region by fostering mutual understanding and trust among criminal justice practitioners, facilitating the sharing of expertise, and enhancing collaboration.
The fourth Forum, held in June 2025, gathered practitioners from 22 countries and organizations to exchange views on mutual legal assistance frameworks and community-based approaches to reducing reoffending.
2. Preparations for the Fifteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Turning to the next point, Japan wishes to express its deep respect and gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for its dedicated leadership in preparing for the Abu Dhabi Congress.
As the host country of the Kyoto Congress, Japan expects the UAE to carry forward the spirit of the Kyoto Congress, assess progress and challenges, and lead further advancement.
Japan stands ready to fully cooperate with the UAE. In this spirit, UNAFEI is now working closely with UNODC as a co-organizer of the workshop on building resilient societies with a focus on protecting women, children and youth.
Japan sincerely hopes for the great success of the Abu Dhabi Congress.