E/CN.15/2002/8 the protection of children by disseminating information and bringing together those concerned about the sexual exploitation of children. C. Developments in the work of other entities 23. The work of other entities was described in detail in the report of the Secretary-General of 30 March 2001 (E/CN.15/2001/4). Much of that work continues, but one body successfully concluded its work in 2001. Sessions of the Committee of Experts on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe concluded with the adoption of the Convention on Cybercrime by the Council on 23 November 2001. The Convention has been signed by 26 member States of the Council, as well as the 4 non-European States that participated in its negotiation. It will come into force when five countries, at least three of whom must be member States of the Council, have ratified it. Other States that are not members of the Council may also accede to the Convention upon the invitation of the Committee of Ministers of the Council, which requires the consent of those States which are already parties. At the time of its release, the draft convention met with positive responses from the law enforcement community, but some criticism from human rights groups concerned about investigative powers and Internet service providers concerned about the cost implications of information storage and other forms of assistance to law enforcement agencies. 24. The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) continued a range of activities against hightechnology and computer-related crime during 2001. It frequently served as the basis of cooperation between national police forces in conducting multinational investigations of online crime, in particular the distribution of child pornography. It continued efforts to assist law enforcement agencies in developing countries through the dissemination of a series of manuals for investigators and a series of regional working parties on information technology crime. It also expanded its web site to include a segment dealing with information technology crime in late 2000 and has subsequently expanded the site further to include virus alerts. 25. The World Customs Organization’s Expert Group on Electronic Crime also continued its work in 2001, examining a range of illicit activities of interest to its members. Of particular concern were identity theft or fraud, sometimes used by smugglers to conceal their identities or avoid surveillance, the electronic tracking of shipments, used to alert smugglers to the possible discovery of concealed contraband, online moneylaundering activities and the growth of Internet pharmacies, which avoid domestic laws and importexport controls on medicinal and prescription drugs. The Expert Group also considered many of the same general problems raised by other enforcement agencies, including electronic fraud, viruses and other hostile programs, and cyber-extortion. III. Concluding remarks 26. The present report has provided a brief overview of ongoing efforts to prevent and control hightechnology and computer-related crime, highlighting general trends and developments within and outside the United Nations. Subject to the availability of resources, the Centre for International Crime Prevention of the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention of the Secretariat will be guided in its future efforts by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and other policy-making bodies, both in carrying out the plan of action for implementing the Vienna Declaration and in relation to any other specific recommendations emanating from such bodies. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 56/121, the Secretary-General may be called upon to report to the Assembly at its fifty-eighth session on further progress in that regard. Consequently, the Commission may wish to consider and provide guidance with respect to the future work of the Centre and the available options, in the context of existing priorities. Notes 1 Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2001, Supplement No. 10 (E/2001/30/Rev.1), part two, chap. II, sect. A, draft resolution II, sect. XI. 2 See Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, Vienna, 10-17 April 2000; report prepared by the Secretariat (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.00.IV.8). 3 Council of Europe, European Treaty Series, No. 185. 7