Meeting of the G7 Justice Ministers in Venice

06/05/2024

The situation in Ukraine and the prevention of international corruption, the fight against drug trafficking and all forms of organised crime, the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence and the defence of the rule of law are among the main topics to be discussed at the G7 Minister’s Meeting on Justice, scheduled to take place in Venice during the Italian presidency.

Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio will welcome his counterparts from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and the European Commission at Palazzo Ducale and the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista. For two days, they will discuss key priorities related to the Ukrainian context, activities already underway – in line with previous G7 presidencies – and new perspectives, in order to consolidate Ukrainian democratic institutions and avoid, with concrete actions, any risk of illegal management of money allocated for post-conflict reconstruction.

The G7 Ministers of Justice will also address the main issues related to the rise of Artificial Intelligence, focusing on potentials and threats.

Another relevant topic to be discussed during the Ministers’ Meeting on Justice will be the fight against drug trafficking and all forms of organised crime, which are particularly alarming. Ministers are called upon to share best practices and proposals first and foremost on the fight against international trafficking of synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl, the spread of which represents a growing global emergency. Ministers will also focus on human trafficking, aiming at fully implementing the so-called “Palermo Convention”, i.e. the UN Convention against transnational organised crime (UNTOC), and supporting the work of the UNODC on the background of the global fight against money laundering.

The words of Judge Giovanni Falcone, killed by the Mafia in 1992, still represent a relevant warning: “The fight against organised crime does not know national boundaries. A joint international effort is needed to counter this global threat. Cooperation between countries and international agencies is essential to ensure global security and justice.”