WHEN AND WHERE

We are happy to announce that the 29th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the IAP will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 29 September to 02 October 2024. The conference is being hosted by the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 

The conference will be held at the Baku Convention Center located in the heart of Baku. As the largest congress center in the entire Caucasus, its clear shape gives the building its very own character, offering a perfect balance to the Baku skyline. Located close to the city center of Baku and adjacent to the Heydar Aliyev Center, this ultramodern complex offers world-class facilities and the opportunity to attend international events in prestigious surroundings. 
 
View the conference video here

ABOUT THE VENUE

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN

Baku is not only the capital of Azerbaijan but also the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region.  

Aptly nicknamed the City of Winds due to its location on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, which subjects it to strong winds throughout the year, Baku also features a perfect contrast between modern and ancient architectural elements. A venue for major international events, Baku is the cultural, scientific, and industrial center of Azerbaijan. This multicultural city is a major tourist attraction in the Caucasus as well as an investment destination for its oil industry. 

Azerbaijan’s legal system is based on civil law. The Constitution, which was adopted in 1995, is the foundation of the country’s modern legislative system and establishes a lawful state.  

Baku holds a crucial place in the legal system, as it houses legal institutions such as the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the House of Government, and the National Assembly. 

THE ROLE OF THE PROSECUTOR IN UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW

Criminal justice systems vary considerably from one country to another but are all underpinned by the need for the fair, impartial and effective administration of justice. The functions of public prosecutors impact on all of those who are involved in a criminal matter, including suspects, defendants, witnesses and victims. Prosecutors must make their decisions independently and carry out their functions objectively, respecting and protecting human rights, and ensuring that the criminal justice system functions in a proper manner. As the crime threats that we face continue to evolve and the complexity of crime increases, prosecutors must ensure that, at every stage in the criminal process, they are upholding the rule of law and acting in the interests of justice.

Against that backdrop, the conference will explore how prosecutors can best ensure that there is procedural equality between the prosecution and defence and will consider the role that prosecution authorities play as one of the main pillars of an independent criminal justice system. The conference will consider ways in which victims and witnesses can be better served by the criminal justice system to ensure that they are able to give their best evidence, both through specific initiatives and greater collaboration between criminal justice stakeholders. It will examine challenges and responses to the growth in cybercrime and the use of artificial intelligence, carefully considering how prosecutors can ensure transparency and accountability, and will also seek to identify more effective methods of international cooperation to tackle this transnational criminal activity.

Many of the conference themes are mirrored in the IAP Standards of Professional Responsibility and Statement of the Essential Duties and Rights of Prosecutors, which celebrate their 25th anniversary this year. The Standards – which are as resonant for prosecutors now as they were when they were first issued – will frame the conference discussions and will provide a benchmark for the conduct, roles and responsibilities of prosecutors in upholding the rule of law. Hearing insights from across the globe, we will explore how we can collectively work together to prevent, tackle and combat terrorism, organised crime, and other serious criminal activity.

PLENARIES AND WORKSHOPS

Plenary One: National approaches to balancing the three main pillars of an independent criminal justice system – challenges and responses 

Workshop One will be divided into two sessions covering:

• The role of the prosecutor in ensuring procedural equality between prosecution and defence 
• The role of the prosecutor in the sentencing process 

Plenary Two: Victims and witnesses within the criminal justice system 

Workshop Two will be divided into two sessions covering:

• Collaboration between stakeholders to ensure the rights of victims in the criminal justice system 
• Transparency and public confidence in the criminal justice system 

Plenary Three: The role of the prosecutor in upholding the rule of law in the digital age – challenges and responses

Workshop Three will be divided into two sessions covering:

• Ensuring transparency, accountability, and data protection in the framework of digital evidence and AI usage  
• The importance of international cooperation in prosecuting cybercrime 

The Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan is an important public institution with a special status in the system of state authorities.  

The prosecutor institutes criminal cases and conducts investigations, representing the public interest. Since it has the exclusive power to prosecute on behalf of the State in all criminal courts, the importance of its role in the administration of justice is undeniable.  

As a component of the judicial system, the Prosecutor’s Office functions as a unified, centralised entity. 

The purpose of this vital independent authority is to ensure social order by contributing to the effective protection of citizens against crime. 

In performing his duties, the prosecutor strives to carry out his mission impartially, objectively and fairly, taking proper account of the position of the suspect and the victim. 
 

ABOUT THE IAP

The International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) has a longstanding tradition of organising conferences to provide fora for prosecutors to network with colleagues from around the world and exchange best practices and experiences.

General information about the IAP

The IAP is a non-governmental, non-political organisation, and the only worldwide organisation for prosecutors. The IAP has over 170 organisational members, including associations of prosecutors, prosecution authorities and crime prevention agencies. Together with its individual membership the IAP represents over 250,000 prosecutors in over 175 different countries and territories around the world.

The IAP was established on 06 June 1995 at the United Nations Office in Vienna and was formally inaugurated in September 1996 at its first General Meeting in Budapest. The main impetus leading to its formation was the rapid growth in transnational crime, particularly drug trafficking, money laundering and fraud. An obvious need for enhanced international cooperation between prosecutors was emerging, particularly in the fields of mutual legal assistance, extradition and asset recovery.

Since its inception, the IAP has been committed to setting and raising standards of professional conduct and ethics for prosecutors worldwide, and to the promotion of the rule of law, fairness, impartiality and respect for human rights.  The IAP also aims to improve and strengthen international cooperation to combat crime by building networks between prosecuting agencies and supporting an increased pace and efficiency in the transfer of information and the provision of mutual legal assistance.

The IAP Constitution sets out the following Objects of the IAP:

1. To promote the effective, fair, impartial and efficient prosecution of criminal offences.

2. To respect and seek to protect human rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948.

3. To promote high standards and principles in the administration of criminal justice, including procedures to guard against or address miscarriages, in support of the rule of law.

4. To promote and enhance those standards and principles which are generally recognised internationally as necessary for the proper and independent prosecution of offences.

5. To assist prosecutors internationally in the fight against organised or other serious crime, and for that purpose:

• • to promote international cooperation in gathering and providing evidence; in tracking, seizing and forfeiting the proceeds of serious crime; in the prosecution of fugitive criminals;
  • to promote speed and efficiency in such international cooperation

6. To promote measures for the elimination of corruption in public administration.

7. To promote the professional interests of prosecutors and to enhance recognition of their crucial role in achieving criminal justice.

8. To promote good relations between individual prosecutors and prosecution agencies; to facilitate the exchange and dissemination among them of information, expertise and experience; and, to that end, to encourage the use of information technology.

9. To promote examination of comparative criminal law and procedure and to assist prosecutors engaged in justice reform projects.

10. To cooperate with international juridical organisations in furtherance of the foregoing objects.

The Executive Committee is the governing body of the IAP, subject to the authority of the General Meeting which is the body of supreme authority in the IAP. The IAP elects a President, up to nine Vice-Presidents and up to twenty-one ordinary members of the Executive Committee. The membership of the Executive Committee reflects the regions in the world where the IAP has members.

The Executive Committee appoints a Secretary-General, who is the Chief Executive, a General Counsel, who is the principal professional representative responsible for the professional programme of the IAP and who provides legal advice and counselling to the IAP, and an Executive Director, responsible for the day-to-day management of the IAP, to include finances, technical support, communication, membership administration and community outreach.

The Senate of the IAP consists of past members of the Executive Committee who elect to join the Senate upon their departure from the Executive Committee, and who are, in the opinion of the President and the Executive Committee, fit and proper persons of good standing and repute in the Association. The Senate operates in conjunction with the President and the Executive Committee. The Senate serves as an advisory body and executes powers to promote the IAP Objects.

The Secretariat of the IAP is based in The Hague, The Netherlands.

IAP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2023 - 2024