Background

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Eastern Africa (UNODC ROEA) Programme "Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in Eastern Africa", for the period of 2009 to 2015, covers thirteen countries: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.

It articulates a holistic, integrated and nationally owned approach to key security and justice challenges. It includes the inputs and recommendations of the regional expert group meeting held in Nairobi in February 2009, with expert delegates from all thirteen countries in the region participating, as well as representatives from international organisations, UN agencies and funding partners. The Regional Programme was subsequently endorsed at the regional Ministerial Conference held in Nairobi, in November 2009, where delegates from the member states of the region signed the Nairobi Declaration in support of the Regional Programme.

UN System

The positive developments generated by the UN reform in the field are also providing UNODC with additional options for its field presence in the region. The reform has allowed space for cross-cutting themes as well as building the normative agenda and increased consideration of the expertise of all UN agencies, including non-resident agencies. As a result, the UN system is more fully aligning its programming to support national priorities and development plans, including the Millennium Development Goals. This provides UNODC ROEA with an excellent opportunity for closer interaction with the rest of the UN system especially by helping to mainstream justice and security issues in the new development agenda.

UNODC promotes a holistic development perspective in the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) Regional teams and the United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) through the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) process. In particular UNODC ROEA is actively involved in the activities of the UNCTs and UNDAF in the countries where it has a field office, such as Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

UNODC ROEA works closely with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) World Food Program (WFP), World Bank, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UNWomen), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Labour Organisation (ILO), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), among others.

NGOs/Civil Society

The Regional Office partner with international and local NGOs and with civil society groups to advance the objectives set out in the regional strategy. The fight against drugs and crime and the response to HIV requires not only a governmental, but also a community-based response.

The Private Sector

The private sector is a key partner in addressing the problems of drugs and crime, including corruption. Business/industry codes of conduct can provide an important catalyst for private sector action, and the private sector can also be an important source of expertise as well as financial contributions. The private sector is also a key partner in the area of workplace prevention Programmes. In terms of promoting visibility and public awareness, high-profile personalities and the media will also be key partners.

Donors

UNODC activities depend on fundraising. Main donors are Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the European Union (EU), the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), and One UN Funds.