18th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Prosecutors’ Association (IPA) have opened in the World Trade Center Moscow. The event was sponsored by the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation.

Opening the ceremony the RF Prosecutor General Yuriy Chaika informed that the Conference is attended by 800 participants: 115 delegations from over 90 countries and 16 international agencies and organizations. “It will not be an exaggeration to say that for the four days of the 18th Conference Moscow will become the capital of prosecution, - Chaika noted.

Addressing the Conference the RF Prosecutor General proposed to conclude a universal treaty on legal assistance in criminal cases with all the countries of the world. “I think, the issue of execution of the universal treaty on extradition and legal assistance in criminal cases within the United Nations Organization framework, including finding, seizure, confiscation and return of the criminally obtained property, is long overdue”, – he concluded.

Yuriy Chaika appreciated the delegates giving special emphasis to importance of cooperation in anticriminal warfare and forging international contacts for more efficient suppression of unlawful actions.

On behalf of the RF President Deputy Chair of the Russian Government Sergey Ivanov welcomed the gathering:

«On behalf of the RF President and myself I am pleased to welcome all participants of the 18th Annual Conference and the General Meeting of the International Prosecutors' Association in Moscow. It is for the first time that we host such a forum of scope of the international prosecutors' community, professionals qualified to ensure supremacy of law, standing sentinel over human rights and freedoms, the interests of society and state. I would like to thank the Association and its President for having elected our capital, the capital city of Russia, the venue of the meeting. I see this as not only a manifestation of respect to the Russian Prosecution as a reliable partner in the international law-enforcement community but also as the recognition of Russia's contribution to the development of law-bound democratic state».

«Modern Russia is doing a lot to maintain civil rights and freedoms. All principles of international law in this area are included in our national legal system. We highly appreciate contribution of the Russian Prosecution into strengthening of law and order. Together with the judicial authorities they exercise supervision over law enforcement across the territory of the Russian Federation», - he said.

Russia is hosting the Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Prosecutors’ Association for the first time.

World Trade Center Moscow Director General Vladimir Salamatov: “It is a great honor for us to host the event of this scope at the World Trade Center Moscow. Taking into account that it is for the first time that the Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Prosecutors’ Association are held in Russia our task is even more complicated because the first impression proves to be the most important one. However, we are proud to display the top quality level of services confirmed by the honor of hosting the events of the highest international rank. So, last year we hosted the 43rd General Assembly of the World Trade Centers’ Association, sometime later – a press conference of the RF President and in June of this year – a milestone XXX International Conference of Law Enforcement Agencies on Drug Trafficking Prevention and Control».

The umbrella topic of the 18th IPA Annual Conference is the “Prosecutor and the Supremacy of Law”. The gathering will review the most important aspects of the prosecutor’s activities; the participants will exchange experience and discuss the current and teething trends of law. The program of the first working day of the Conference includes the opening ceremony, IPA awards ceremony, plenary session and a number of round table discussions. The event will continue till September 13.