Strengthening the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity A/RES/72/196 Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, and the decision that the main theme of the Fourteenth Congress should be “Advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda ”, Expressing its grave concern about the negative effects of transnational organized crime on development, peace, stability and security and human rights, about the increasing vulnerability of States to such crime and about the growing degree of penetration of criminal organizations and their financial and economic resources into the economy, Expressing concern at the involvement of organized criminal groups, as well as the substantial increase in the volume, rate of transnational occurrence and range of criminal offences related to trafficking in precious metals and stones in some parts of the world, and the potential use of trafficking in precious metals and stones as a sou rce of funding for organized crime, other relevant criminal activities and terrorism, Deeply concerned about the growing links, in some cases, between forms of transnational organized crime and terrorism, recognizing that countering transnational organized crime and terrorism is a common and shared responsibility, and in this respect welcoming Economic and Social Council resolution 2017/17 of 6 July 2017 on technical assistance for implementing the international conventions and protocols related to counter-terrorism, Convinced that the rule of law and development are strongly interrelated and mutually reinforcing and that the advancement of the rule of law at the national and international levels, including through crime prevention and criminal justice mechanisms, is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth and sustainable development and the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, and in this respect welcoming the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 7 which, inter alia, includes the commitment to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective , accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, and in this respect recalling its resolution 70/299 of 29 July 2016 on the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the global level, Emphasizing that transnational organized crime must be addressed with full respect for the principle of the sovereignty of States and in accordance with the rule of law as part of a comprehensive response to promote durable solutions through the promotion of human rights and more equitable socioeconomic conditions, Encouraging Member States to develop and implement, as appropriate, comprehensive crime prevention policies, national and local strategies and action plans based on an understanding of the multiple factors that contribute to crime and to address such factors in a holistic manner, in close cooperation with all stakeholders, including civil society, and in this respect stressing that social development and the promotion of the rule of law, including the fostering of a culture of lawfulness while respecting cultural identities, in accordance with the Doha Declaration, should be integral elements of strategies to foster crime prevention and economic development in all States, Reaffirming its commitment and strong political will in support of effective, fair, humane and accountable criminal justice systems and the institutions comprising them, encouraging the effective participation and inclusion of all sectors of society, thus creating the conditions needed to advance the wider United Nations agenda, and recognizing the responsibility of Member States to uphold human dignity, all human __________________ 7 2/18 Resolution 70/1. 17-23196