UNODC New York Office

15 September 2009 UNODC's NY Office hosts a panel discussion and book signing featuring New York Times Pulitzer Prize winning authors/journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive Director of UNODC, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon delivers the opening remarks. The focus of the panel discussion is human trafficking and other issues affecting women that are featured in the book "Half The Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide," by Mr. Kristof and Ms. WuDunn.

Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn are the first married couple to win a Pulitzer Prize in journalism; they won for their coverage of China as New York Times correspondents. Mr. Kristof won a second Pulitzer Prize for his op-ed columns in the New York Times. He has also served as bureau chief in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Tokyo, and as associate managing editor. At the New York Times, Ms. WuDunn worked as a business editor and a foreign correspondent in Tokyo and Beijing. More...

12 May 2009 UNODC's NY Office unveils "Welcome to Gulu," an art exhibition of paintings created by former child soldiers and abducted girls, curated by acclaimed American artist Ross Bleckner. The New York Times has described the paintings as "luminous," in a recent article " For Child Soldiers, a Chance to Wield Brushes, Not Arms" by Randy Kennedy. Proceeds raised by the sale of the children's paintings will benefit former child soldiers and abducted girls. Also at this evening's gala, Ross Bleckner will be appointed a UNODC Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Human Trafficking. The evening's hosts include Academy Award winning actor Nicolas Cage, designers Calvin Klein and Donna Karan, artists Jeff Koons and Brice Mardenamong others. More... / Media Advisory... / The Secretary General's remarks at the opening of "Welcome to Gulu"...

12 February 2009 UNODC's NY Office hosts a panel discussion, "Exposing Denial and Benign Neglect," on the occasion of the launch of UNODC's Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. Panelists include: UNODC Executive Director, Antonio Maria Costa, Simone Monasebian, Chief of the UNODC New York Office, Minister Valentin Rybakov of Belarus, Ambassador Maged Abdelaziz of Egypt, author Kevin Bales, filmmaker Robert Bilheimer and Academy Award winning actress Mira Sorvino. At this event, Sorvino was appointed UNODC Goodwill Ambassador. More... To view the webcast of the panel discussion and the appointment ceremony please visit: Archived Webcasts of Special Events 2009

8-18 January 2009 UNODC's NY Office undertakes mission to Gulu, Uganda. Simone Monasebian, Chief of the UNODC NY Office, Anna Kennedy, Criminal Justice Officer, renown American painter Ross Bleckner, and UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa undertake new initiative to combat child soldiering. UNODC, in partnership with the ICC Trust Fund for Victims, organize a workshop to assist in the rehabilitation of former child soldiers and abducted girls through art therapy. Gulu children express themselves and come to terms with their past through art. More... / View Mr.Costa's blog...

22 September 2008 UNODC's NY Office and the International Peace Institute (IPI) host a breakfast policy forum: "Crime as an Impediment to Security and Development in Africa." The forum, chaired by UNODC Executive Director, Antonio Maria Costa, and HE Mr. Terje Rod-Larsen, President of the International Peace Institute, features the following speakers: Ambassador Said Djinnit, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa, HE Ms. Amina Salum Ali, the Permanent Representative to the African Union's Mission to the United State and Mr. Patrick Hayford, Director of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, United Nation. More...

26 June 2008 The World Drug Report 2008 is launched in New York by Executive Director, Antonio Maria Costa. The report shows that the recent stabilization in the world drugs market is under threat because of a surge in opium and coca cultivation in rebel-held areas of Afghanistan and Colombia. Higher drug use in developing countries could also undermine recent progress in drug control.  More...

25 June 2008 UNODC Executive Director, Antonio Maria Costa, addresses a Security Council meeting during its consideration of the report of the Secretary General on the developments in Guinea Bissau and on the activities of the UN in that country. More...

3 June 2008 The Shana Alexander Foundation hosts a luncheon, at the Delegates Dining Room West Terrace in NY, on the occasion of the UN General Assembly Thematic Debate on Human Trafficking and in recognition of the UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking. In attendance were His Excellency Dr. Srgjan Kerim, President of the 62nd UN General Assembly, Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of UNODC, and critically acclaimed actress Ashley Judd.

3 June 2008 UNODC participates in the first UN General Assembly Thematic Debate on Human Trafficking is held at UNHQ in New York. Overview / Relevant Documents

2-3 June 2008 UNODC's NY Office in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), present "Criminal Justice Responses Against Trafficking in Persons-Role Play Performance: Mock Interview and Trial Programme," an interactive cutting-edge human trafficking mock trial and role play.  The event was organized as part of UN.GIFT, the UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking. More...

2 June 2008 At a side event preceding the UN General Assembly Thematic Debate on Human Trafficking, UNODC's NY Office and the Australian Mission host a panel discussion on the problems of human trafficking and screened a film on the issue as well. Details...

7 May 2008 The World Bank, in partnership with UNODC, The Ricky Martin Foundation, The International Justice Mission, and Free The Slaves, launch a Symposium and Exhibition titled: "Borderless Captivity: Exploitation and Human Trafficking." The exhibition is designed as a visual narrative to tell a story not only of abuse and despair, but of education, hope and redemption.  The photos, providing an unforgettable snapshot of the worldwide problem of human trafficking, will remain on display at the World Bank through 30 May 2008. More...

4 April 2008 UNODC NY Office Chief goes to the hill for briefings: The Humpty Dumpty Institute brings Simone Monasebian, Chief of the New York Office of UNODC, to brief House and Senate Staffers in Washington DC. More...

12 December 2007 UNODC awards the Crown Prince of Qatar a certificate of honor in New York. UNODC Executive Director, Antonio Maria Costa, awards Qatar's Crown Prince, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, for his efforts to encourage young people to turn away from narcotics and achieve their full potential through sport.  Announcing the Certificate of Honour at UN Headquarters, Mr. Costa commended the Crown Prince for setting up the Doha-based Global Sport Fund. More...

7 December 2007 Academy Award winning actress Mira Sorvino supports the work of UNODC in fighting human trafficking at NY UNCA dinner. Each year, the United Nations Correspondents Association Awards Dinner honors recipients for the best written and electronic media coverage of the United Nations.  The UNCA Awards Committee is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging and rewarding excellence in journalism around the world.  The dinner was hosted by the Secretary General. More...

29 October 2007 UNODC's NY Office launches a photo exhibition, "Human Trafficking: Images of Vulnerability": The Executive Director of UNODC, Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, and Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, wife of the Secretary-General, open the photography exhibition which provided a snapshot of human trafficking around the world. The exhibition featured the photography of Howard G. Buffett, President of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation; Academy Award nominated director, Robert Bilheimer; and, international photojournalist Kay Chernush. More... From the exhibition, Mark's Story.

7 October 2007 Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of UNODC, presides over the NY launch of a UNODC survey on opium cultivation. As he launched the latest periodic report on cultivation in the so-called Golden Triangle, Mr. Costa said, "the situation in Myanmar, from the vantage point of opium, is extremely alarming." More...

19 September 2007 UNODC's NY Office hosts the first Hollywood world premiere event ever to be organized at UNHQ. The premiere of the film 'Trade' took place in the Trusteeship Council Chamber, in the presence of the Secretary-General and Mrs. Ban, UNODC Executive Director, Antonio Maria Costa, Genera l Assembly President Srgjan Kerim,

the film producers, directors and actors and numerous Hollywood stars... more on the event... New York Times movie details... / Event Photos...

19 September 2007 Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of UNODC, and Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Kline, hold a briefing on the film "Trade" and the issue of human trafficking.  At the briefing, held at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Costa called human trafficking the "modern-day version of slavery" and said he hopes the film will "create worldwide awareness to motivate [all] to join forces" in the fight to end the practice. More... / Briefing Photos...

9 June 2007 UNODC and the Humpty Dumpty Institute sponsor a forum at the Jackson Hole Film Festival. Panelists include, Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of U.N. Office of Drug & Crime, Georgette Mosbacher, CEO Borghese Cosmetics, Julia Ormond, actress and U.N. Goodwill Ambassador, Robert Bilheimer, Academy Award nominated film producer, Rosilyn Heller, film producer, Shakira Parveen, victim of Human Trafficking and advocate; and moderated by CNN anchor, Jim Clancy. The forum addresses the global crisis of human trafficking and the role of film and new media play in raising awareness. More...

12 April 2007 UNODC's NY Office in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Thailand, the NGO Committee on Human Rights and the Unitarian Universalist UN Office host a panel discussion, "Human Traffic, Human Rights: Redefining Challenges." The Speakers include John R. Miller, Former U.S. Ambassador at Large on Modern Day Slavery and Senior Adviser on international slavery to the Secretary of State, Marianne Møllmann, Advocacy Director, Women's Rights Division, Human Rights Watch, Christina Arnold, Executive Director, Project Hope International and Simone Monasebian, Chief of the UNODC New York Office.

2 April 2007 UNODC's NY Office Chief, Simone Monasebian, participates in a UNITAR Peace and Security Series Seminar on Preventing Genocide. The session focuses on strengthening the rule of law and in particular the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide.  Seminar Program... 

5 March 2007 UN Officials press for urgent action to end 'modern-day slave trade' at The International Conference on Trafficking in Women and Girls, co-organized by UNODC's NY Office. View the Programme and Statements.

30 November 2006 UNODC's NY Office, along with New York University's (NYU) Center for Global Affairs and Vital Voices Global Partnership, hold an event entitled, "Human Trafficking: A Global Challenge in Our Own Backyard," to raise awareness of the global scourge of human trafficking and to commemorate the United Nation's International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. More... A transcript of the event can be found here.

30 November 2006 UNODC Executive Director, Antonio Maria Costa, takes part in a breakfast panel discussion, "International Corruption: The Price Everyone Pays," co-hosted by the United Nations Association of the USA Business Council for the United Nations and the United Nations Foundation. The panel, held at the Metropolitan Club in New York, also features Mr. James Wolfensohn, former President of the World Bank, and Mr. Benjamin W. Heineman, Jr., former VP and Counsel of General Electric. View Mr. Costa's Statement.

8 September 2006 Simone Monasebian, Chief of the UNODC NY Office, participates in a special event at the 59th Annual Department of Public Information/NGO Conference. The event launched the Redlight Children Campaign, a worldwide grassroots human rights initiative promoting awareness and practical action to reduce the number of sexually exploited children. More...

15 December 2005 UNODC holds a panel discussion on the UN Convention Against Corruption, which entered into force on 14 December 2005. The panelists include Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of UNODC, Ambassador John Bolton, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN and Ibrahim Gambari, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, among others. More... View Ambassador Bolton's Statement.

2 December 2005 On the occasion of the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, UNODC hosts a Panel Discussion on human trafficking and Goodwill ambassdor appointment ceremony. The panel, hosted by UNODC executive director, Antonio Maria Costa, featured Nancy Kassebaum Baker, former U.S. Senator, Melanne Verveer, Chair of the Board of Vital Voices Global Partnership, human rights activist Bianca Jagger, Jessica Neuwirth, President of Equality Now, and actress Julia Ormond. British actress and activist Julia Ormond was appointed UNODC Goodwill Ambassador by Antonio Maria Costa. During her service, Ms. Ormond will focus on anti-human trafficking initiatives. At a press conference for her appointment, Ms. Ormond stressed the pervasiveness of modern day slavery and the need to find solutions that are tailored to the local reality.

21 November 2005 Jointly organized by UNODC's NY Office and DPI, a seminar- "Critical Perspectives in Combating Genocide: What we can do to prevent. What we can do during. What we must do after," takes place at UN Headquarters. The seminar features a distinguished panel of speakers, who have worked across a range of fields in the aftermath of genocide and continue to work tirelessly to prevent genocide from occurring again. Included on the panel was UNODC NY Office Chief, Simone Monasebian. More...

10 November 2005 Simone Monasebian, Chief of UNODC's NY Office, participates in an OLA/UNITAR seminar on deposit of treaty actions; speaking on the challenge of prosecuting offenders before an international criminal tribunal. More...

18 October 2005 UNODC's NY Office, in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and the United Nations University, organize a workshop on international trafficking in human beings as part of the "UNITAR/ United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)/International Organization for Migration (IOM) Key Migration Issues Workshop Series".  More...

8 September 2005 UNODC Executive Director, Antonio Maria Costa, participates in the DPI/NGO Conference, "Our Challenge: Voices for Peace, Partnership and Renewal," at UN Headquarters in New York. He spoke on a panel, "Collective Security:The Priorities of Civil Society," that focused on respect for human rights as the driving force behind peace, security and development. More..