The United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Zero Project/ Essl Foundation announced today a new cooperation to promote rights and opportunities for people with disabilities.
The partnership will have a particular focus on UNODC mandate areas including drug policy and effective criminal justice responses. It will further seek to improve the accessibility of UNOV/UNODC events and information, and increase support for internships and employment prospects for people with disabilities.
“The UN Office on Drugs and Crime is proud to partner with a global leader in innovating solutions with and for people with disabilities like the Essl Foundation and Zero Project Conference, and we are grateful for their support. By joining forces, we can strengthen justice and improve the lives of all people around the world,” said Ghada Waly, UNOV Director-General and UNODC Executive Director.
She further highlighted the importance of improved data collection and innovative approaches to mainstream disability rights and protection in crime prevention and criminal justice responses.
“Effective responses to drug and crime challenges need to take all members of society into account. There is clear evidence that people with disabilities are more likely to suffer from drug use disorders. People with disabilities are disproportionately victimized by criminals and when they come into contact with criminal justice systems, and yet their needs are too often overlooked. We can and must do better,” added Ms Waly.
Martin Essl, Founder and Initiator of the Essl Foundation, said: “For the past 11 years, the Zero Project Conference has been hosted at the United Nations Office at Vienna, serving as a platform for sharing innovative solutions for disability inclusion. This newly strengthened partnership with UNOV/UNODC builds on that legacy, leveraging the expertise of the global Zero Project Network and more than 1,000 good practices and policies identified through our research.”
“Together, we aim to support UNOV/UNODC in making drug policy and criminal justice systems more accessible and inclusive. By uniting our efforts, we can transform commitments into action and take significant steps towards a world with zero barriers for persons with disabilities.”
The new partnership was announced on the margins of the Zero Project Conference 2025, which opened today at the Vienna International Centre.
Sonya Yee
Chief, UNODC Advocacy Section
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-4990
Email: unodc-press[at]un.org
