13. Each State Party shall designate a central authority that shall have the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution. Where a State Party has a special region or territory with a separate system of mutual legal assistance, it may designate a distinct central authority that shall have the same function for that region or territory. Central authorities shall ensure the speedy and proper execution or transmission of the requests received. Where the central authority transmits the request to a competent authority for execution, it shall encourage the speedy and proper execution of the request by the competent authority. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall be notified of the central authority designated for this purpose at the time each State Party deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of or accession to this Convention. Requests for mutual legal assistance and any communication related thereto shall be transmitted to the central authorities designated by the States Parties. This requirement shall be without prejudice to the right of a State Party to require that such requests and communications be addressed to it through diplomatic channels and, in urgent circumstances, where the States Parties agree, through the International Criminal Police Organization, if possible.
13. 各缔约国均应指定一中心当局，使其负责和有权接收司法协助请求并执行请求或将请求转交主管当局执行。如缔约国有实行单独司法协助制度的特区或领土，可另指定一个对该特区或领土具有同样职能的中心当局。中心当局应确保所收到的请求的迅速而妥善执行或转交。中心当局在将请求转交某一主管当局执行时，应鼓励该主管当局迅速而妥善地执行请求。各缔约国应在交存本公约批准书、接受书、核准书或加入书时将为此目的指定的中心当局通知联合国秘书长。司法协助请求以及与之有关的任何联系文件均应递交缔约国指定的中心当局。此项规定不得损害缔约国要求通过外交渠道以及在紧急和可能的情况下经有关缔约国同意通过国际刑事警察组织向其传递这种请求和联系文件的权利。