Institute of Directors' iconic hub, located just minutes from Piccadilly Circus, Westminster, and Trafalgar Square, played host to an international conference on 29-30 March 2023 under the auspices of the UK Home Office, Serious Organized Crime Network, and Global Initiative against Organized Crime. The conference, which focused on the illicit economy and conflict in Ukraine, offered evidence-based analysis and a holistic perspective on organized crime trends, with experts specializing in illicit trade networking and facilitating joint organized crime threat assessments in Europe.
Over the two days of discussion, the main themes included trends in arms trafficking, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, anti-corruption measures, security sector reform, and conceptual risks of demobilization and reintegration of Ukraine. It was symbolic that the meeting began in the Sir Francis Drake Room, dedicated to the famous privateer and seafarer who participated victoriously in the fight against the Spanish Armada as Vice Admiral of the UK.
The role of private militias in the fight against Russian forces in 2014-2015 was discussed, as was what should be done with people after demobilization, including flow to Europe, demilitarization, drug abuse, and special treatment. The case of Ukrainian reconstruction was found to have ties with complex measures against corruption and optimizing international cooperation in the field.
Сorresponding member of National UA Academy of Legal Sciences professor Viacheslav Tuliakov of the National University 'Odesa Law Academy' and the Institute of European and International Criminal Law at the University of Castilla La-Mancha was among the experts and reporters of this think-tank, highlighting the problems of judicial integrity in the context of organized crime and corruption in Ukraine. The results of this international think-tank should be the subject of discussion among expert and governmental sectors regarding overcoming the difficulties on the path to economic prosperity, reparations and restitution, future security, and Ukrainian European and NATO integration.
