The challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region today require collective collaboration from multiple actors. To implement its mandate and support Member States in the region, UNODC works with partners such as national, regional and international organizations, development partners, UN sister agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the private sector, amongst other relevant partners.
Some of our key partners are:
The League of Arab States
Since opening in 1997 in Cairo, UNODC has a strategic partnership with the League of Arab States (LAS) which constitutes an ideal counterpart in the regional prioritization and planning context. UNODC ROMENA and LAS are partners in the strategic engagement on The Regional Programme to Prevent and Combat Crime, Terrorism and Health Threats and Strengthen Criminal Justice Systems in Line with International Human Rights Standards (2016-2021). The Regional Programme is the strategic umbrella for a coherent and integrated approach to the challenges observed in the region and the needs identified through ongoing projects in the region.
Development Partners
Voluntary contributions from the Member States, multilateral organizations, private sector, and other sources comprise the bulk, approximately 95 percent, of UNODC’s global funding in support of the Organization's work associated with drug control and crime prevention. Voluntary contributions, mainly from the Member States, are growing and are primarily earmarked for global, and regional/country programmes or specific UNODC mandated areas. Some of our main development partners include Austria, Australia, Denmark, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Drosos Foundation, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Siemens Integrity Initiative, Sweden, United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom.
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. One of our main private sector partners is the Siemens Integrity Initiative.
NGOs and CSOs
UNODC partners with NGOs and with civil society groups to advance the objectives set out in the Regional Programme for the Arab States. For instance, the fight against drugs and crime and the response to HIV requires not only a governmental but also a community-based response. Some of our main partners in this area are the Drosos Foundation, the Tunisian Association to Combat Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS (ATL MST/SIDA Tunis), the Tunisian Society of Addictology (STADD), Caritas Internationalis, Misr Elkheir Foundation, Friends Association, El Shehab for Comprehensive Development, Support for Development, MENHARA, Association de lutte contre le sida, amongst others.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
In support of SDG 17, UNODC is strongly committed to strengthening global partnerships to achieve the ambitious targets of the 2030 Agenda, bringing together national governments, international partners, civil society, the private sector, and other actors. Therefore, UNODC's broadening partnership base is not only focused on keeping existing public partners, but also on exploring new ones and in effectively engaging the private sector and civil society.
Read about our work to support the Member States in achieving the SDGs.