Issue 91 | November 29, 2016
A quick and easy update of the latest UNODC and international drugs and crime news. Can't read this newsletter? View it online
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UNODC News
General Assembly President: Work of Vienna-based Commissions critical for Sustainable Development Goals implementation
The crucial role of the Vienna-based commissions in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was highlighted by the President of the seventy-first session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson. "Your work here in Vienna could not be more central to the Sustainable Development Agenda", he said. [Read More]
West Africa: Cocaine trafficking and migrant smuggling discussed at prosecutors meeting
UNODC, in cooperation with the Government of Niger, discussed international cooperation against trafficking of cocaine and the smuggling of migrants in the region. The issue is of particular concern in Niger, as Agadez, a northern city in the country, is a transit hub for smugglers and migrants through the Sahara on route to Libya and beyond. Participants discussed and identified approaches to address transnational organized crime and cocaine trafficking. [Read More]
Risks of illicit flows in money transfers topic of Central Asia group meeting
Tackling illicit financial flows and money laundering is a core element of the overall effort to combat drug trafficking and transnational organised crime in Afghanistan, and more widely in West and Central Asia. UNODC works on building networks between countries and between regions on investigations of financial crimes. Representatives from the Triangular Initiative joined efforts with representatives of China to share experiences and best practices. [Read More]
#ADeadlyBusiness: regional conference adopts UNODC's campaign against smuggling of migrants
#ADeadlyBusiness, a UNODC campaign to prevent and combat migrant smuggling, was adopted recently by eleven countries in the Americas as a regional communication initiative within the framework of the XX Regional Conference on Migration (RCM). UNODC's Office in Mexico originally developed #ADeadlyBusiness and it was in that country where the campaign was endorsed for the first time. [Read More]
Costa Rica joins the Blue Heart Campaign
Costa Rica has become the latest country to join the Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking. With millions of victims of human trafficking across the globe, the UNODC-led campaign aims to mobilize governments, civil society organizations, media and the private sector to expose and combat this crime. The Government of Costa Rica, the Canadian Embassy in Costa Rica and UNODC's office in Central America and the Caribbean, launched the campaign in the country. [Read More]
We have made headway but crisis continues, says UNODC Chief on Wildlife Crime
"Southeast Asia has tragically suffered losses in its rich biodiversity, including tiger and rhino sub-species, while… other species are being decimated," UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov told a high-level audience, recently. Mr. Fedotov thanked the audience of ministers, ambassadors, law enforcement officials and civil society representatives for its passionate commitment to stopping the illegal wildlife trade. [Read More]
Container security boosted in Latin America and Caribbean region
The annual Container Control Programme meeting for the Latin American and Caribbean region was held in Panama from 14 to 17 November, bringing together officials from 15 countries as well as representatives from donor countries. The joint UNODC/World Customs Organization programme seeks to improve the capacity of customs and other relevant law enforcement officials to detect and disrupt the flow of illicitly trafficked goods. [Read More]
Bolstering anti-corruption and independence among the judiciary: the Global Judicial Integrity Network
In preparation of the launch of the Global Judicial Integrity Network in 2017, a two-day meeting was held in Bangkok bringing together senior members of the judiciary from across the Pacific, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Once live, the Network will connect judges to support each other in upholding judicial integrity and prevent corruption within the justice system. In doing so, it will create the first ever global platform dedicated exclusively to this issue. [Read More]
Prosecutors and legal experts from Africa's Great Lakes region lay the foundation for a regional judicial cooperation network
The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes seek to follow up on existing recommendations made to facilitate the administration of justice through judicial cooperation in the Great Lakes region. A two-day meeting was organized in Nairobi to lay the foundation for a Great Lakes Regional Judicial Cooperation Network comprising the 12 member states of the ICGLR. [Read More]
First forensic science laboratory opens in Ramallah with UNODC support
The Palestinian Civil Police Forensic Science Laboratory, established with the assistance of UNODC, was officially inaugurated in Ramallah recently. The laboratory provides much needed assistance to the Palestinian criminal justice system. The new facility was inaugurated by David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and by Major General Hazem Atallah, Chief of the Palestinian Civil Police in representation of the Palestinian President. [Read More]
Indian Ocean: "Colombo Declaration" adopted to coordinate anti-drugs efforts
Recently, UNODC and the Government of Sri Lanka co-hosted a meeting to address drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean Region. At the high-level meeting, Ministers and Government Representatives adopted the "Colombo Declaration," which gives way to the forthcoming Southern Route Partnership as the main coordination mechanism for counter narcotics initiatives in this region. [Read More]
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