http://www.unodc.org/unodc/feed/costas-corner.xmlCosta's CornerTue, 23 Apr 2013 3:55:03 PM CESThttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2013/April/heads-of-unodc-and-cites-urge-wildlife-and-forest-offences-to-be-treated-as-serious-transnational-organized-crimes.htmlhttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2013/April/heads-of-unodc-and-cites-urge-wildlife-and-forest-offences-to-be-treated-as-serious-transnational-organized-crimes.htmlAt the current Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), the heads of two United Nations bodies - the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - called on countries to recognize wildlife and forest crimes as a serious form of organized crime and strengthen penalties against criminal syndicates and networks profiting from such illegal trade.Tue, 23 Apr 2013 3:55:03 PM CESTSat, 13 Apr 2013 8:31:23 AM CESThttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2013/April/unodc-executive-director-concludes-official-visit-to-japan.htmlhttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2013/April/unodc-executive-director-concludes-official-visit-to-japan.html UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov paid an official visit to Japan this week. Asia-Pacific represents a key region for UNODC, and Japan is a crucial partner in the office's work against drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism. During his week-long visit, Mr. Fedotov met with several high-level officials, including the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Prosecutor General, Minister of Justice, and the Director of General of Japanese Customs.Sat, 13 Apr 2013 8:31:23 AM CESTSat, 06 Apr 2013 9:35:23 AM CESThttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2013/April/un-tourism-and-crime-bodies-to-call-on-tourists-to-play-a-role-in-reducing-illicit-trafficking.htmlhttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2013/April/un-tourism-and-crime-bodies-to-call-on-tourists-to-play-a-role-in-reducing-illicit-trafficking.htmlIn the presence of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) today agreed to launch a new public awareness campaign calling on tourists to help reduce demand for illicit goods and services linked to transnational organized crime.Sat, 06 Apr 2013 9:35:23 AM CESTTue, 02 Apr 2013 10:17:10 PM CESThttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2013/April/unodc-awarded-spanish-gold-medal-of-merit-for-its-commitment-to-countering-drug-dependence.htmlhttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2013/April/unodc-awarded-spanish-gold-medal-of-merit-for-its-commitment-to-countering-drug-dependence.htmlUNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, today accepted on behalf of UNODC, the Gold Medal of the Order of Merit of the National Drug Plan. The prestigious award was given to UNODC by the Minister of Health, Social Services and Equality, Ana Mato Adrover, in front of Government staff and representatives of the media at the Ministry's headquarters in Madrid.Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:17:10 PM CESTFri, 22 Mar 2013 5:34:47 PM CEThttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2013/March/unodc-executive-director-fedotov-visits-bosnia-and-herzegovina.htmlhttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2013/March/unodc-executive-director-fedotov-visits-bosnia-and-herzegovina.htmlUNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov completed a two-day mission today to meet the head and senior officials of ministries and agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. UNODC's work in the region is delivered through UNODC's Regional Programme for South-Eastern Europe. Launched last year, the regional programme is at the forefront of UNODC's efforts to counter the trafficking of illicit opiates from Afghanistan to the lucrative markets in western Europe via the so-called Balkan route.Fri, 22 Mar 2013 5:34:47 PM CETTue, 18 Dec 2012 11:54:24 AM CEThttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/at-triangular-initiative-ministerial-meeting-unodc-chief-stresses-regional-cooperation-in-face-of-illicit-drug-threat.htmlhttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/at-triangular-initiative-ministerial-meeting-unodc-chief-stresses-regional-cooperation-in-face-of-illicit-drug-threat.htmlSpeaking at the end of a one-day mission to Tehran, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov noted the many challenges related to the flow of opiates from Afghanistan, but also highlighted the achievements of the Triangular Initiative, a body working to halt this movement: "The close collaboration between Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan is achieving operational successes. More than eight tons of drugs have been seized in 17 operations planned and coordinated by the Joint Planning Cell, which is one of the key features of the Triangular Initiative."Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:54:24 AM CETTue, 11 Dec 2012 3:32:42 PM CEThttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/unodc-executive-director-to-save-the-orangutan-we-must-break-the-links-between-illegal-timber-trade-corruption-and-transnational-organized-crime.htmlhttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/unodc-executive-director-to-save-the-orangutan-we-must-break-the-links-between-illegal-timber-trade-corruption-and-transnational-organized-crime.htmlEnvironmental crimes, often financed and organized by transnational organized criminal groups, are destroying habitats and endangering species around the world. Noting UNODC estimates that up to 40 per cent of wood-products exported from East Asia and the Pacific may be produced from illegally harvested wood, the organization's Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, has urged policy makers to consider environmental crimes a serious form of transnational organized crime.Tue, 11 Dec 2012 3:32:42 PM CETTue, 11 Dec 2012 3:21:12 PM CEThttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/for-an-ecology-of-the-mind_-blending-drug-rehab-with-nature-conservation-in-sumatra.htmlhttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/for-an-ecology-of-the-mind_-blending-drug-rehab-with-nature-conservation-in-sumatra.htmlDev (not his real name) had been using drugs of increasing potency during his decade-long struggle with substance abuse. First alcohol. Then cannabis. Then crystal meth, which he snorted. Then heroin, which he injected. He lost his job. He was spiralling downwards. Desperate, his family admitted him to a drug treatment centre in Jakarta where he underwent detoxification and then a 6-month treatment programme.Tue, 11 Dec 2012 3:21:12 PM CETFri, 07 Dec 2012 4:19:28 PM CEThttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/unodc-executive-director-pledges-continued-un-support-to-indonesias-anti-corruption-efforts.htmlhttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/unodc-executive-director-pledges-continued-un-support-to-indonesias-anti-corruption-efforts.htmlAt a press event at Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov stressed the importance of a national anti-corruption strategy and the work done by KPK. Praising the country's efforts and the commitment of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to independent anti-corruption agencies, Mr. Fedotov offered UNODC's support to Indonesia to fight transnational crime and corruption, particularly as they relate to environmental crime.Fri, 07 Dec 2012 4:19:28 PM CETThu, 06 Dec 2012 8:08:40 AM CEThttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/lao-pdr-extremely-vulnerable-to-trafficking-by-transnational-organized-crime-groups-says-unodc-executive-director.htmlhttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/lao-pdr-extremely-vulnerable-to-trafficking-by-transnational-organized-crime-groups-says-unodc-executive-director.htmlLao PDR's position at the hub of the Greater Mekong Subregion and its shared borders with Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam make it "extremely vulnerable" to the trafficking of people, illicit drugs and commodities by transnational organized crime groups, warned UNODC's Executive Director: "While economic growth and regional integration bring many positives, they also provide opportunities for transnational organized crime to expand".Thu, 06 Dec 2012 8:08:40 AM CET