United Nations Radio

Security and justice are key to reaching the Millennium Development Goals, according to the head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Antonio Maria Costa.

Mr. Costa noted that where the rule of law is absent or weak, development and democracy are held back because of crime and corruption, which can lead to conflicts, mass poverty and further instability.

And he urged countries to give more attention to the rule of law as a means to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by the 2015 deadline.

Mr. Costa's remarks came in his address at the opening of the latest session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice taking place this week in Vienna, Austria. This year's discussion looks at ways of preventing violence against women.

One of the eight Millennium Development Goals or MDGs is promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women. Mr. Costa called for particular attention to be given to women and girls in conflict and post-conflict situations to prevent them from becoming victims of human trafficking.

For UN Radio, I am Dianne Penn.