*as prepared for delivery
Good Morning
Ms. Hoxha, Ambassador Soreca, Mr. Kala, Mr. Patacconi, representatives of the civil society organizations.
I am happy to be part of this conference today, which highlights the impact of civil society organizations working effectively and with fearless advocacy. This initiative aimed at the sustainable reuse of seized assets from organized crime groups by civil society organizations is both innovative, timely, and necessary.
The United States strongly supports effort to fight organized crime… While government and law enforcement institutions are on the forefront of fighting organized crime, civil society and citizens can, and should, play an important role in that same fight in their own way.
The social reuse of confiscated assets of organized crime provides a more efficient prevention of organized crime, as it activates economic growth and social development dynamics through social participation. It takes something derived from a negative impact on society and turns it into a positive.
It demonstrates the possibility to transform illicit gains into opportunities to assist victims and communities affected by organized crime, and builds trust between citizens and the government.
It is not easy to engage in such efforts. You need to be bold and brave to undertake this effort, and we for that, we acknowledge and congratulate Partners Albania — and all those civil society organizations that are engaged in similar actions aimed at fighting back against organized crime.
Thank you for this opportunity to address you today.