Annual Report 2009 - United Nations Office on Drugs … 2009 Annual covering activities in 2008...

RReeppoorrtt 2009AAnnnnuuaall

ccoovveerriinngg aaccttiivviittiieess iinn 22000088

Vienna International Centre PO Box 500, 1400 Vienna, Austria Tel: (+ 43-1) 26060-0Fax: (+ 43-1) 26060-5866 www.unodc.org

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Printed in Austria February 2009

UUNNOODDCC

Annual Report 22000099

Writing/editing: Raggie Johansen, Alun JonesPictures: Melitta Borovansky-KönigDistribution: Marie-Thérèse KiriakyLayout and design: Nancy Cao

This publication has not been formally edited.The boundaries, names and designations used in all maps in this report donot imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

Cover: The "Journey" exhibition on modern-day slavery at the Vienna Forumto Fight Human Trafficking in February. Artwork courtesy of the Helen Bamber Foundation (www.helenbamber.org).Photo: UNODC/M. Borovansky-König

RReeppoorrtt 2009AAnnnnuuaall

ccoovveerriinngg aaccttiivviittiieess iinn 22000088

contents

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PPrreeffaaccee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

HHiigghhlliigghhttss ooff 22000088 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

22000088:: aa mmiilleessttoonnee ffoorr iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ddrruugg ccoonnttrrooll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

RRuullee ooff llaaww:: aann iimmppoorrttaanntt ttooooll ttoo aacchhiieevvee tthhee MMiilllleennnniiuumm DDeevveellooppmmeenntt GGooaallss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

HHeeaalltthh aatt tthhee cceennttrree ooff ddrruuggss aanndd ccrriimmee ppoolliicciieess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

MMoonneeyy--llaauunnddeerriinngg aanndd tthhee lliinnkk ttoo tteerrrroorriissmm ffiinnaanncciinngg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

TToowwaarrddss jjuussttiiccee aanndd sseeccuurriittyy ffoorr aallll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

AATTSS ccoonnssuummppttiioonn oonn tthhee rriissee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

IInntteeggrriittyy aanndd ggoooodd ggoovveerrnnaannccee:: aatt tthhee ttoopp ooff tthhee aaggeennddaa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

RReeggiioonnaall ssttrraatteeggiieess ttoo ffiigghhtt ddrruuggss,, ccrriimmee aanndd tteerrrroorriissmm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

UUNNOODDCC mmeeddiiuumm--tteerrmm ssttrraatteeggyy——wwoorrkkiinngg ttoowwaarrddss rreessuullttss--bbaasseedd mmaannaaggeemmeenntt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

RReessoouurrccee mmoobbiilliizzaattiioonn aanndd ppaarrttnneerrsshhiipp ddeevveellooppmmeenntt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

UUNNOODDCC ANNUAL REPORT 2009

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2009 marks a centenary of drug control. One hundredyears ago, a select group of States met in Shanghai to address a global opium epidemic. Since then, the world's supply of illicit drugs has been reduceddramatically. Over the past few years, drug use andproduction have stabilized. Still, there are too manyillicit drugs in the world, too many people sufferingfrom addiction, and too much crime and violenceassociated with the drugs trade.

This Annual Report provides an overview of whatUNODC is doing to address the threat posed by drugsand crime.

Concerning drugs, the Office's crop surveys keep theworld informed about the amount of opium inAfghanistan and South-East Asia, and the amount ofcoca in the Andean countries. In 2008, a GlobalAssessment sounded the alarm about the use ofamphetamine-type stimulants, particularly in thedeveloping world.

Operationally, UNODC has rallied regional and interna-tional cooperation to stem the flow of Afghanistan'sopium (through the Paris Pact), and to address thethreat posed by drug trafficking to the security of WestAfrica. We are stepping up our engagement in CentralAmerica and the Caribbean to reduce the vulnerabilityof these regions to drugs and crime.

UNODC is a leader in enhancing drug prevention andtreatment, and in assisting states to reduce the adversehealth and social consequences of drug abuse (includ-ing the spread of HIV through injecting drug use).After all, health is the first principle of drug control.

The Office is expanding its portfolio of crime controlactivities to strengthen the rule of law. This is not only

an important end in itself, it is the basis for socio-economic growth. In that sense, it can be considered aprerequisite for achieving the Millennium DevelopmentGoals.

In 2008, a major focus was on fighting human trafficking—a cause which gained considerable atten-tion and momentum as a result of the Vienna Forumagainst Human Trafficking.

The Office is stepping up its work against other emerging forms of crime, like environmental crime,and maritime piracy, particularly around the Horn of Africa. UNODC is also deepening its engagement in peacebuilding and peacekeeping operations tostrengthen criminal justice in post-conflict situations.

Corruption enables crime, and is a crime in itself.UNODC therefore works with States to fight corruption,take action against money-laundering, prevent terror-ism financing, and recover stolen assets. This takes onadded significance as criminals exploit the economiccrisis to launder the proceeds of crime through afinancial system starved of liquidity.

As this Annual Report demonstrates, in an unstableworld, the information and expertise provided byUNODC are in high demand. In response, UNODC isexpanding its portfolio, and becoming active in newissues and theatres.

Antonio Maria CostaExecutive Director

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

PPrreeffaaccee

22000088:: aa mmiilleessttoonnee ffoorr iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ddrruuggccoonnttrrooll.. One hundred years havepassed since the first internationaldrug control conference, the 1909International Opium Commission inShanghai. The year 2008 also marks

the end of a decade since the 1998 United NationsGeneral Assembly Special Session on the world drugproblem. Today, there is a high level of internationalconsensus on drug control.

RRuullee ooff llaaww:: aann iimmppoorrttaanntt ttooooll ttooaacchhiieevvee tthhee MMiilllleennnniiuumm DDeevveellooppmmeennttGGooaallss.. Where the rule of law is weakor absent, crime and corruption holdback development and participatorygovernment. The rule of law is a

cross-cutting issue, and strengthening the rule-of-lawcomponent of development assistance thus helps coun-tries attain the Millennium Development Goals.

HHeeaalltthh aatt tthhee cceennttrree ooff ddrruuggss aannddccrriimmee ppoolliicciieess.. Substance abuse anddependence is a public health,developmental and security problem.UNODC calls for a comprehensiveapproach to drug abuse in which

prevention and treatment of substance use disordersmake up the initial stages. Provision of public healthfacilities to reduce the harmful consequences of drugabuse complete the approach.

MMoonneeyy--llaauunnddeerriinngg aanndd tthhee lliinnkk ttoo tteerrrroorriissmm ffiinnaanncciinngg..Money-laundering is the method by which criminalsdisguise the illegal origins of their wealth and protecttheir asset bases. Terrorist organizations employ tech-niques not dissimilar to criminal money-launderers todisguise money.

TToowwaarrddss jjuussttiiccee aanndd sseeccuurriittyy ffoorr aallll..Crime, usually organized and often transnational, profits frominstability and tends to perpetuateit. Human trafficking is one example. UNODC and the Global

Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) areworking to eradicate this crime that shames us all.

AATTSS ccoonnssuummppttiioonn oonn tthhee rriissee..UNODC's Amphetamines andEcstasy: 2008 Global ATSAssessment shows that although thenumber of people who have usedamphetamine-type stimulants (ATS)

at least once in the last 12 months has stabilized,increases have occurred in parts of the world that previously had small ATS-related problems.

IInntteeggrriittyy aanndd ggoooodd ggoovveerrnnaannccee:: aatt tthheettoopp ooff tthhee aaggeennddaa.. Across the world,corruption undermines democracyand impedes economic development.UNODC encourages good gover-nance by helping countries, particu-

larly those with vulnerable, developing or transitionaleconomies, to prepare and use solid anti-corruptionmeasures applicable to all spheres of society.

RReeggiioonnaall ssttrraatteeggiieess ttoo ffiigghhtt ddrruuggss,,ccrriimmee aanndd tteerrrroorriissmm.. Many of theissues on UNODC's agenda callfor regional responses. The UNODC-coordinated Rainbow Strategy,which engages both Afghanistan

and surrounding countries in finding solutions to the threat posed by Afghan opiates, is one of manyexamples.

SSttrraatteeggyy iimmpplleemmeennttaattiioonn aanndd eexxppeennddii--ttuurreess.. As part of working towardsresults-based management, UNODCis making the links between themedium-term strategy and thebudget more explicit.

RReessoouurrccee mmoobbiilliizzaattiioonn aanndd ppaarrttnneerrsshhiippddeevveellooppmmeenntt.. UNODC is strengthen-ing its partnerships to pool expertiseand leverage resources.

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HHiigghhlliigghhttss ooff 22000088


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The following abbreviations have been used in this report:

ANCAP Administracion Nacional de Combustible Alcohol y Portland

ANTEL Administracion Nacional de Telecomunicaciones de Uruguay

ATS amphetamine-type stimulants (methamphetamine, amphetamine, ecstasy)

CARICOM Caribbean Community

EC European Commission

ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States

FIU Financial Intelligence Unit

ILO International Labour Organization

INTERPOL International Criminal Police Organization

IOM International Organization for Migration

MDGs United Nations Millennium Development Goals

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NGO non-governmental organization

OAS Organization of American States

OHCHR Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

OIF Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie

OPEC Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

OSCE Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

SICA Central American Integration System

StAR Stolen Asset Recovery

UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

UNCAC United Nations Convention against Corruption

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNDEF United Nations Democracy Fund

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UN.GIFT United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking

UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund

UNICRI United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute

UNMAS United Nations Mine Action Service

UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

UNTFHS United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security

UNTOC United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime

WHO World Health Organization

AAbbbbrreevviiaattiioonnss aanndd aaccrroonnyymmss

The League of Nations is established andbecomes the custodian of the OpiumConvention. Geneva, 1920.Photo: League of Nations Archives

110000 yyeeaarrss ssiinnccee tthhee ffiirrsstt iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ddrruugg ccoonnttrrooll ccoonnffeerreennccee

Today’s international drug control system is rooted inefforts made a century ago to address the largest sub-stance abuse problem the world has ever faced: theChinese opium epidemic. At the turn of the century,millions of Chinese were addicted to opium, which wasfreely traded across borders at the time. China’sattempts to unilaterally address the problem failed, andit became clear that finding a solution would requirean international approach.

As a result of international pressure, drug-producingnations sat down at the negotiating table for the firsttime at the International Opium Commission, held in Shanghai in 1909. This Commission gave rise to the first international legal instrument dealing withpsychoactive substances, the Hague Opium Conventionof 1912.

The story of the Chinese opium problem and the reac-tion it brought about represents an influential chapterin international efforts to restrict substance productionand abuse. Countries established several legal agree-ments in this area, and by mid-century, the licit tradein narcotics had largely been brought under control.Given that many national economies had been asdependent on opium as the addicts themselves, thiswas a remarkable achievement.

However, the system of legal agreements was complex,and soon needed unification and simplification.Following 13 years of negotiation, the SingleConvention on Narcotic Drugs was adopted in 1961.Once it entered into force three years later, it superseded all previous international agreements. The Single Convention, alongside the 1971 Conventionon Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 Conventionagainst Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psycho-tropic Substances, define the international drug controlsystem to this day.

1100 yyeeaarrss ssiinnccee UUNNGGAASSSS

The year 2008 also marks the end of a decade sincethe 1998 United Nations General Assembly SpecialSession (UNGASS) on drug control, where countriespledged to increase their efforts to tackle the illicitdrug problem. The Political Declaration which emanated from that session has been a valuable tool to spur national efforts and strengthen internationalcooperation. Major successes were registered in reducing the area under coca cultivation, for instance, in Peru and Bolivia in the 1990s, and in Colombiaafter 2000. Morocco reduced its cannabis resin produc-tion significantly from 2003-2005. Myanmar and theLao People’s Democratic Republic reduced their opium production, although these successes were dwarfed byrising opium production in Afghanistan.

international drug control

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2008: a milestone for iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ddrruugg ccoonnttrrooll

Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annanaddresses the UN General Assembly Special Session on theworld drug problem, 1998.Photo: UN/DPI, Evan Schneider


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TThhee ssiittuuaattiioonn ttooddaayy

Today, there is a high level of international consensuson drug control. Adherence to the three main conven-tions is now almost universal, at some 95 per cent ofall countries. These are among the highest rates ofadherence to any of the United Nations multilaterallegal instruments.

It is also easy to forget what the world was like beforecontrols were in place, and what an achievement theinternational drug control system represents. Opiumproduction is some 70 per cent lower than a centuryago, even though the global population quadrupledover the same period. If opiate use had remained thesame as in the early years of the 20th century, theworld would have approximately 90 million opiateusers, rather than the 17 million there are today.Besides, global illicit drug use still affects far fewer

people than the many millions who use legal psy-choactive substances such as tobacco and alcohol.

This is not to say that the work is done. Cocaine usegrew last century. There are new, widely abused syn-thetic drugs which did not even exist a century ago.Illicit markets are an unavoidable and extremely prob-lematic consequence of international controls.

Moreover, the implementation of the drug control sys-tem has had several other unintended consequences.Controlling illicit markets demands a strong lawenforcement response, which, given the finite resourcesof all countries, might take away resources from publichealth efforts. Also, successes in supply reduction inone place, tend to lead to increased drug productionelsewhere. This has been observed in the Andeancountries where production has shifted away from Peruand Bolivia towards Colombia. Finally, drug users are

UNODC outreach at the EXIT Music Festival in Serbia.Photo: UNODC Serbia

DDoo ddrruuggss ccoonnttrrooll yyoouurr lliiffee??

Every year, UNODC and its partners commemorate 26June—the International Day against Drug Abuse andIllicit Trafficking—with a campaign and a series ofevents aimed at raising awareness of the major prob-lem that illicit drug use represents to society and par-ticularly to young people.

The international campaign DDoo ddrruuggss ccoonnttrrooll yyoouurrlliiffee?? YYoouurr lliiffee.. YYoouurr ccoommmmuunniittyy.. NNoo ppllaaccee ffoorr ddrruuggsscommunicates that drugs affect all sectors of societyin all countries. Drugs may control the body and mindof individual consumers, the drug crop and drug car-tels may control farmers, illicit trafficking and crimemay control communities.

In particular, drug use affects the freedom and development of young people, the world’s most valuable asset. UNODC supports governments and civil society to work in schools, families and work-places to prevent drug use and ensure the healthy and safe development of young people globally.

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often excluded from their societies and tainted bymoral stigma. Even if they are motivated, they oftenencounter difficulties in finding treatment.

Over the next decade, making the drug control systemmore ‘fit for purpose’ will require a triple commitment:reaffirming the basic principles of multilateralism andthe protection of public health; improving the per-formance of the control system by carrying outenforcement, prevention, treatment and harm reduc-tion simultaneously; and mitigating the unintendedconsequences.

The international community has a solid understand-ing of key aspects of the drug chain, in particular the levels of illicit drug cultivation and production,and how drug use represents a public health issue.However, drug trafficking and related organized crimeremain grey areas. UNODC urges Member States totackle these aspects more vigorously by ratifying andimplementing the United Nations Convention againstTransnational Organized Crime.

RReecceenntt wwoorrlldd ddrruugg ttrreennddss

The 2008 World Drug Report, launched on 26 June, the International Day against Drug Abuse and IllicitTrafficking, shows that the recent stabilization in theworld drugs market is under threat. While only some0.6 per cent of the planet’s adult population can beclassified as problem drug users (people with severedrug dependence), a surge in opium and coca cultiva-tion and the risk of higher drug use in developingcountries threaten to undermine recent progress indrug control.

However, the Afghan Opium Survey 2008, released inNovember, brought some good news. It showed thatopium cultivation declined by 19 per cent to 157,000hectares, and production dropped by 6 per cent to7,700 tons, thus reversing last year’s increases.

TThhee ccaannnnaabbiiss mmaarrkkeett iiss ssttaabbllee

The world cannabis market is stable or even slightlydown. Cannabis herb production is estimated to besome 8 per cent lower than in 2004 and cannabis resinproduction declined by approximately 20 per centbetween 2004 and 2006. Nevertheless, there are worry-ing trends. Afghanistan has become a major producer

of cannabis resin, perhaps exceeding Morocco. Indeveloped countries, indoor cultivation is producingmore potent strains of cannabis herb. The average levelof the drug’s psychoactive substance (THC) almostdoubled on the US market between 1999 and 2006.

NNeeww ttrraaffffiicckkiinngg rroouutteess aanndd ccoonnssuummppttiioonn ppaatttteerrnnss

The report confirms that there has been a shift inmajor drug routes, particularly for cocaine. Because of high, steady demand for cocaine in Europe andmore frequent seizures along traditional routes, drugtraffickers have targeted West Africa. The region’shealth and security is at risk.

UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costawarned that “States in the Caribbean, Central Americaand West Africa, as well as the border regions ofMexico, are caught in the crossfire between the world’sbiggest coca producers, the Andean countries, and thebiggest consumers, North America and Europe.” This isa powerful threat to poor countries. Weak governmentshave great difficulties facing the onslaught of powerfuldrug barons.

The report also discloses the fear, although not yetbacked up by solid evidence, of emerging markets for drugs in developing countries. High levels ofdomestic drug addiction will pose significant problemsfor weak States.

Cannabis in Afghanistan. Photo: UNODC/A. Scotti


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EEccoottoouurriissmm pprroovviiddeess CCoolloommbbiiaannss wwiitthh aa ddrruugg--ffrreeee lliivveelliihhoooodd

In Colombia, UNODC supports the Gulf Guardian FamiliesProject to protect and keep the Gulf of Urabá in thenorth-western part of the country free from illegal tradein narcotic drugs. The three components of the projectare ecotourism, handicrafts and traditional fishing. Morethan 6,700 families living in the area are engaged inproduction activities and in environmental restorationand protection.

The town of Capurganá has long been famous as atourist destination for nature lovers and people whowant to relax by the sea, far from the hustle and bustleof the big city. At the Iracas de Belén Ecotourism Centre,visitors can stay in lodges built and decorated with localmaterials, only ten metres from the sea. The Centre isrun by the owners: 32 families who have been trained tomeet the needs of tourists.

The community donated land for the Centre, and everyfamily played a part in the project planning. They out-lined their priorities, saved money, got organized and setup the Capurganá Ecotourism Association (Asecotuc).Participants had to acquire a range of technical, environ-mental and business skills to manage the day-to-dayoperation of the Centre.

Iracas de Belén has made a big difference in the commu-nity. In the words of Manuel Julio Rodríguez, Chairmanof Asecotuc, “This is the most important lifelong projectto have been launched in our region, and I am veryproud of it. Thanks to this project, we can look forwardto a brighter future for all.”

Ecotourism, an important part ofthe Gulf Guardian FamiliesProject in Capurganá, Colombia.Photos: UNODC Colombia

WWoorrkkiinngg ttooggeetthheerr aaccrroossss SSoouutthh--EEaasstt AAssiiaann bboorrddeerrss

To promote communication and cooperation betweendifferent national law enforcement agencies workingalong the borders, UNODC has helped establish some 50Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) in the Greater Mekong sub-region. BLOs are typically staffed by officers from lawenforcement agencies including narcotics, border, localand immigration police as well as customs officers. BLOofficers patrol the borders and relay intelligence infor-mation to their counterparts.

“Before the joint Mekong river patrols, when (drug) traf-fickers along the river realized they had been detected,they simply moved over to the other side where law en-forcement officials were not aware of their activities.They thus escaped from arrest and were able to continuetransporting the drugs,” says a BLO officer at ChiengKhong, Thailand. This BLO in northern Thailand has coop-erated with its Lao People’s Democratic Republic coun-terpart at Bokeo since 2005.

Currently, BLOs focus on drug trafficking only. However,in 2009, UNODC will support the expansion of the BLO mechanism to cover human trafficking, migrantsmuggling, environmental and wildlife crimes, in co-operation with the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme and international NGOs.

MMaajjoorr ddrruugg sseeiizzuurree iinn TTaajjiikkiissttaann

The UNODC-trained and supported Mobile DeploymentTeam (MDT) of the Tajik interior ministry in 2008 madethe biggest single drug seizure in the country’s history.Some 560 kg of drugs were seized; mainly hashish, butalso almost 30 kg of heroin.

The MDT was established within the framework of aUNODC project to strengthen controls along the Tajik-Afghan border. The project aims to identify, investigate,interdict and prosecute those groups involved in illicitdrug trafficking. The seizure took place during the searchof a truck at a road checkpoint.

The Mobile Deployment Team became operational inJanuary 2008, having been fully equipped and trained byUNODC. The 15 staff members of the MDT were selectedon a competitive basis and underwent specialized train-ing on undercover operations, risk analysis, search tech-niques, informant handling and intelligence analysis.

In 2008, the MDT carried out a substantial number ofoperations, including joint operations with other lawenforcement agencies. As a result of MDT activities, 16persons were detained and more than 900 kg of drugsseized.

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Staff members of the Dong Kror Lor Border Liaison Office,Cambodia. Photo: UNODC East Asia and the Pacific

Drugs seized by the Mobile Deployment Team, Tajikistan.Photo: UNODC Central Asia

Homeless child sleeping on the statue of LadyJustice, Federal Supreme Court of Justice,Brasilia, Brazil.Photo: UNESCO/Ivaldo Alves

Promoting the rule of law, nationally and internation-ally, is at the heart of the global work of the UnitedNations. The rule of law refers to a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions andentities, public and private—including the State itself—are subject to public laws that are equally enforcedand independently applied, and that are consistentwith international human rights norms and standards.

The safeguarding of all human rights ultimatelydepends on proper governance and administration of justice. In fact, the rule of law is a cross-cuttingissue, and the foundation upon which the achieve-ment of most of the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) rests.

Economic analysis has consistently shown a clearcorrelation between weak rule of law and weaksocio-economic performance. Some observers alsoreport a cause-effect relationship: in countries ravagedby crime and corruption, and where governments havelost control of their territory, the poor suffer the most.Services are either delayed or never arrive. Citizenshave poor access to justice, health and education andoften face rising food prices.

Poorly governed countries are the most vulnerable tocrime and pay the highest price in terms of erosion ofsocial and human capital, loss of domestic savings,reduction of foreign investment, white-collar exodus(“brain drain”), increased instability and falteringdemocracy. Seen in this light, the rule of law takes ona whole new importance: when established, it canunleash the welfare potential of nations. When it islacking, underdevelopment perpetuates itself andcountries risk not achieving the MDGs.

The United Nations is improving system-wide co-herence through the “One UN” concept. UNODC’s

main contribution is to strengthen the rule-of-lawcomponent of development assistance. Doing so will increase aid effectiveness and ensure that socio-economic growth is based on, and benefits from, a sound legal and institutional framework.

UNODC continues to break down institutional walls in tackling drugs, crime and terrorism, and takes acomprehensive approach to building security and justice. To this end, UNODC is developing partnershipswith other agencies working in this area, whether at the headquarters level to develop joint tools andguidance or, more importantly, to provide technicalassistance. For example, UNODC has developed a programme on training law enforcement and legal justice sectors in responding to domestic violencewithin the United Nations/Viet Nam Joint Programmeon Gender Equality.

rule of law

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Rule of law: an important tool to achieve the MillenniumDevelopment Goals

Achieving universal primary education is one of theMillennium Development Goals.Photo: UNODC/T. Hailey


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Moreover, UNODC has built a number of strategic partnerships with the United Nations DevelopmentProgramme: for example, with its Programme onGovernance in the Arab Region, in particular in thearea of support for implementation of the UnitedNations Convention against Corruption. Efforts in thatpartnership include building the capacity of judicialsystems to handle economic disputes, assisting withenforcement of judgements and bolstering judicialindependence and integrity.

UNODC has also developed a joint workplan with theUnited Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), whichincludes producing a set of tools related to justice forchildren, establishing indicators on juvenile justice,

providing training on child victims and witnesses and various field-based programmes in this area. The work has been done within the framework of the Interagency Panel on Juvenile Justice.

At the same time, UNODC has participated in theUNICEF-led initiative to adopt a common UnitedNations approach on justice for children. This is beingdone to assist United Nations entities in leveragingsupport through partners to work on broader agendasrelated to rule of law, governance, security and justicesector reform into which justice for children can easilybe integrated. A common approach is also expected tobring cost-effectiveness and to maximize the results ofthe efforts.

VViiccttiimm eemmppoowweerrmmeenntt iinn SSoouutthh AAffrriiccaa——aa UUNNOODDCC ffiirrsstt

In 2008, UNODC launched a new project to empowercrime victims in South Africa. Such work is especiallyrelevant in a country with one of the highest crime ratesin the world. A local study shows that one South Africanwoman is killed by her intimate partner every six hours.

With this project, UNODC aims to help build institutionalcapacity within the Department of Social Developmentto lead, expand and sustain the victim empowermentprogramme, improve coordination and cooperation

between government departments and civil societyorganizations, promote awareness of South Africa’s victim empowerment policies, and to build capacityamong civil society organizations to deliver victimempowerment interventions.

Crime victims are often not aware of their rights as outlined in the government’s Victim Charter. Through the “16 days of activism to stop violence against womenand children” in November and December, UNODChelped raise awareness on victims’ rights and the various services available to them through government and community organizations.

EEssttaabblliisshhiinngg aann AAffgghhaann BBaarr AAssssoocciiaattiioonn

UNODC, in cooperation with the International BarAssociation, supported the Afghan Ministry of Justice toorganize and host the first General Assembly meeting ofthe Independent Afghan Bar Association (IABA) in July.All advocates registered with the ministry were invitedto Kabul to elect IABA’s leadership and vote on its by-laws. IABA will administer licensing of advocates, setaccreditation requirements for entry into the profession,and help protect and promote the professional interestsof advocates.

Commemorating “16 days of activism to stop violenceagainst women and children”, North West Province,South Africa. Photo: UNODC Southern Africa/T. Mdidimba

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rule of law

Somalia has developed into a breeding ground forpiracy. Almost 100 attacks on vessels by Somalipirates were reported in 2008. The disintegrationof the government has resulted in the total collapse of the justice system. There is little hopethat Somalia will be able to establish a systemcapable of actually delivering justice in the nearfuture.

UNODC has proposed a number of measures designed to deter, arrest and prosecute pirates.Shiprider arrangements (subject to a specialagreement) would enable a law enforcement offi-cer from, for example, Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania orYemen, to join a warship off the coast of Somaliaas a “shiprider”, arrest the pirates in the name oftheir country, and then have them sent to theirnational court for trial. The practice has been em-ployed in the Caribbean to arrest drug traffickers.

Ideally, suspects should be tried in the countrywhere they came from, or in the country thatowns the seized ship. But the Somali criminal justice system has collapsed, and countries

like Liberia, Panama and the Marshall Islands—where many of the ships are registered—do notwant to deal with crimes committed thousands of miles away.

The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution on this issue in December, encouragingstakeholders to “increase regional capacity withassistance of UNODC to arrange effective shiprideragreements or arrangements (…) in order to effec-tively investigate and prosecute piracy and armedrobbery at sea offences.”

While shiprider arrangements might provide atemporary solution to the complex issue of piracyin the Horn of Africa, the long-term key is tostrengthen the capacity of criminal justice systemsin the region to effectively investigate and prose-cute piracy cases. UNODC is therefore helpingStates implement the United Nations Conventionagainst Transnational Organized Crime and otherrelevant international legal instruments to fightcrime, including by training law enforcement andjudiciary officials in the countries concerned.

UUNNOODDCC pprrooppoosseess mmeeaassuurreess ttoo ssttoopp ppiirraaccyy iinn tthhee HHoorrnn ooff AAffrriiccaa

The UN Security Council has called on UNODC to assist countries in tackling piracy.Photo: UN/Ryan Brown

Drug dependence treatment in Myanmar.Photo: UNODC Myanmar

UUNNOODDCC aanndd tthhee ““rriigghhtt ttoo hheeaalltthh””

The year 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights—an opportunetime for the United Nations to reaffirm that economic,social and cultural rights, such as the right to work,food, health and education, are inalienable rights of allpeople.

The right to health is an inclusive right, extending notonly to timely and appropriate health care, but also tothe underlying determinants of health. These includeaccess to safe and potable water and adequate sanita-tion, healthy occupational and environmental condi-tions, and access to health-related education andinformation.

UNODC is aware of the needs of poor farmers. It iscommitted to the fight against poverty, set out in theMillennium Development Goals. Achieving the right tohealth contributes towards achieving those goals.

It is often forgotten that health is the first principle of drug policy. Improving security (against drug traffickers and dealers) and promoting development

(to enable farmers to find sustainable alternatives togrowing illicit crops) are necessary, but not sufficient,measures. Because even if the world’s entire supply ofcannabis, coca, and opium was eliminated and alldrugs in circulation were seized, 25 million drug userswould still be looking for ways to satisfy their addic-tion. So the key to drug policy is reducing demand fordrugs and treating addiction—and that is very much ahealth-care issue

Therefore, it is time to bring health back to the main-stream of drug policy. That means putting moreresources into prevention and treatment, as well asresearch to better understand what makes people vulnerable to addiction.

AA ccoommpprreehheennssiivvee rreessppoonnssee ttoo ddrruugg aabbuussee

Substance abuse and dependence is a public health,developmental and security problem both in industrial-ized and developing countries. It is associated withhealth problems, poverty, violence, criminal behaviourand social exclusion, to mention some. The relatedcosts for society are enormous.

Prevention and treatment of drug dependence areessential demand reduction strategies of significantpublic health importance. On the one hand, preventingand treating drug use disorders may significantlyreduce the demand for illicit drugs. On the other, thesestrategies represent the rational response to a diseaseand its severe consequences. Law enforcement effortsto stop or reduce production and trafficking of illicitdrugs (supply reduction) tend to be ineffective if notcombined with prevention of drug use and treatmentof drug dependence (demand reduction). However,countries have yet to reach an appropriate balancebetween supply and demand reduction, nationally aswell as internationally.

health

19

HHeeaalltthh at the centre of drugsand crime policies

Substitution therapy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.Photo: UNODC Central Asia/A. Rustamov


20

UNODC calls for a comprehensive approach to drugabuse in which prevention and treatment of substanceuse disorders constitute the initial stages. Provision ofpublic health facilities to reduce the harmful conse-quences of drug abuse complete the approach. Offeringnon-discriminatory services to drug abusers, with theaim of protecting them from the adverse social andhealth consequences of drug abuse, is not in conflictwith providing comprehensive treatment.

JJooiinntt pprrooggrraammmmee wwiitthh WWHHOO

In partnership with the World Health Organization(WHO), UNODC has developed an action programmeon drug dependence treatment. The overall aim of theinitiative is to promote and support worldwide, with aparticular focus on low- and middle-income countries,evidence-based and ethical prevention and treatmentpolicies, strategies and interventions to reduce thehealth and social burden caused by drug use anddependence.

UNODC and WHO have constitutional mandates toaddress the issues of drug use and dependence. The twointernational agencies are uniquely positioned to lead ajoint initiative aiming to promote and support evidence-based and ethical prevention and treatment policies.

Through this joint initiative, UNODC and WHO willstrengthen their collaboration at the global, regionaland country levels. In close dialogue with MemberStates and their relevant ministries (for example,health, interior and justice) and sectors, the two orga-nizations will promote multidisciplinary, integrated policies, including both demand reduction/healthstrategies and supply reduction/security/sustainablelivelihood interventions.

FFaammiillyy--bbaasseedd pprreevveennttiioonn ooff ddrruugg uussee

The family is the first arena of socialization for chil-dren and young people. Skills training for families,aimed at increasing the cohesion and organization offamilies, can effectively prevent various types of harm-ful behaviour, including drug use. Moreover, such pro-grammes provide long-term savings of approximatelyUS$ 10 for every dollar spent.

To promote these effective interventions, UNODC has published A Basic Guide to Implementing

Evidence-based and Effective Family Skills TrainingProgrammes for Drug Abuse Prevention. The publica-tion will be accompanied by a web-based compendiumof programmes for adaptation and implementation.

BBeeyyoonndd 22000088

The year 2008 marked an important milestone for participation by non-governmental organizations(NGOs) in formulating international drug policy. The NGO Global Forum, held in July, was an unpre-cedented event that concluded with a consensus oncivil society’s contribution to the review of the 1998United Nations General Assembly Special Session(UNGASS) targets.

The Forum was organized in partnership with theVienna Non-Governmental Organizations Committeeon Narcotic Drugs. It captured the cumulative input of over 1,000 individual participants from more than145 countries, representing millions of members and

Teenagers from the Mashhad Positive Club NGO learningabout HIV and AIDS. Photo: UNODC Iran

constituents from across the world. Building on 13consultative meetings in all regions, as well as feed-back from an online questionnaire, NGOs providedresponses to the three objectives of the Forum: tohighlight tangible NGO achievements in drug con-trol; to review best practices related to collaborativemechanisms among NGOs; governments and UnitedNations agencies, and to identify key principleswithin the international drug conventions.

The consensus that emerged from the Forum, in the form of a Declaration and three resolutions, will be tabled at the 2009 High-Level Segment of theCommission on Narcotic Drugs.

IInnjjeeccttiinngg ddrruugg uussee aanndd HHIIVV//AAIIDDSS

In the last 25 years, one of the most visible negativeconsequences of drug dependence has been thespread of HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that more than10 per cent of HIV infections worldwide are due tothe use of contaminated drug injecting equipment. IfSub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean are excluded,this rate rises to 30-40 per cent.

UNODC is a cosponsor of the Joint United NationsProgramme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the leadagency for HIV/AIDS prevention and care amonginjecting drug users. Research shows that an HIVepidemic among injecting drug users can be pre-vented, halted and even reversed, if responses arebased on a sound assessment of the specific druguse situation and the sociocultural and political context.

To achieve this, UNODC helps countries review anddevelop laws, policies and standards of care thatenable them to provide effective services for injectingdrug users. The Office also encourages law enforce-ment agencies to be more proactively involved inHIV prevention and care, and promotes collaborationamong the health and criminal justice sectors, andcommunity-based and civil society organizations.

UNODC also tackles HIV/AIDS prevention and carein prison settings, and is responsible for facilitatingthe development of a United Nations response toHIV and AIDS associated with human trafficking.UNODC carries out HIV/AIDS-related activities insome 50 countries worldwide.

health

World AIDS Day at UNODC headquarters, 1 December 2008.Photo: UNODC/M. Borovansky-König


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DDrruugg uussee aanndd HHIIVV iinn ssoommee AArraabb pprriissoonnss

In Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Lebanon, UNODCrecently helped finalize situation assessments fordrug use and HIV in prison settings. These studieshighlighted knowledge gaps and risky behaviouramong the prison populations. The countries bene-fited from best practices and recommendations fortheir national strategies to increase access to druguse and HIV prevention and care. Egypt willexpand its prison programme by offering moreprisoners comprehensive HIV services duringdetention and introducing aftercare services forreleased detainees. Moreover, for the first time,juvenile detention centres will offer HIV preven-tion and care.

TTaacckklliinngg HHIIVV iinn RRuussssiiaa

The number of HIV-infected people in the RussianFederation is increasing steadily, and the epidemicis mainly a result of injecting drug use. The project“Scaling up, and improving access to, HIV/AIDSprevention and care programmes for injecting drugusers and in prison settings” is the largest suchUnited Nations initiative in this country. In coop-eration with the non-governmental organizationAIDS Foundation East-West, UNODC has estab-lished seven centres that provide comprehensivedrug and HIV prevention and treatment services.

Drug and HIV prevention work requires systematicand sustainable monitoring systems to supportevidence-based policies and interventions.Therefore, in 2008, UNODC supported national andregional partners, in particular the NationalResearch Centre on Addictions and the Federal

Drug Control Service, in establishing a regionaldrug information system. Moreover, as a result ofUNODC assistance, a school survey on drug usehas been completed, and a large-scale nationalhousehold survey is being planned.

SStteeppppiinngg uupp eeffffoorrttss iinn MMyyaannmmaarr

UNODC in Myanmar aims to ensure that drugusers, prisoners and victims of human traffickinghave universal access to comprehensive HIV pre-vention, treatment, care and support. This is in line with United Nations Member States’ 2006commitment to pursue this goal by 2010. For maximum impact, UNODC works with relevantgovernmental agencies, other international organi-zations, civil society groups and research/academicinstitutions. An important element of UNODC’swork is to develop local capacity to manage HIVprevention and treatment initiatives.

GGlloobbaall aaccttiioonn oonn HHIIVV//AAIIDDSS

UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa(right) with the Director of the Russian Federal DrugControl Service, Viktor Ivanov, on 13 November 2008.Photo: UNODC

Syringes. Photo: UNODC Myanmar

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health

OOppiiooiidd ssuubbssttiittuuttiioonn tthheerraappyy iinn SSoouutthh AAssiiaa

Opioid dependence is a big problem in South Asia. Toaddress this issue, UNODC is promoting a comprehensiveapproach to drug prevention and treatment, whichincludes opioid substitution therapy (OST). Research hasshown that OST is an efficient, safe and cost-effectiveway to manage opioid dependence. It is also a method tocurb HIV infections as prevalence rates are usually highamong injecting drug users.

With assistance from UNODC, in 2008, the Tihar prisonin New Delhi became the first prison in South Asia tolaunch OST for prisoners who are substance users.Building on the lessons learned from Tihar, in 2009rolling out OST activities in the prisons of Maldives,Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka will be a priority for UNODC in South Asia.

DDrruugg ttrreeaattmmeenntt——AAbbdduull WWaahhaabb’’ss ssttoorryy

In the Pakistani cities of Karachi and Lahore, UNODC isassisting street children with drug abuse problems byestablishing comprehensive prevention and treatmentservices. Abdul Wahab, a 17-year-old from Lahore,explains how his life has improved due to drug treat-ment at the UNODC-supported Child ProtectionInstitute:

I used to work in a furniture shop until late at night. I didn’t like to do house chores at home. So one day Ileft in anger and joined some children who were livingon the streets. Staff from the Child Protection Institute

rescued me, gave me shelter and sent me to school. Iwas very happy then, but one day, my mother came tothe centre and took me back home. She promised tosend me to school or work, but didn’t fulfil her promise,so I ran away again. This time, I started smoking ciga-rettes, and later started using glue and cannabis. Then,one day CPI staff came to our area and recognized me.They were upset to learn about my drug use, and moti-vated me to start drug treatment at their centre. I alsowent back to school. So now, I study in the morning, andwork at a cycle stand in the evening. After work, I returnto the centre. I feel very happy, safe and comfortablehere, and I want to continue my education and becomean electrician.

An injecting drug user under treatmentreceives buprenorphineat a UNODC project site in India.Photo: UNODC SouthAsia

Abdul Wahab, studying at the Child Protection Institute inLahore, Pakistan. Photo: UNODC Pakistan

Money-laundering is the method by which criminalsdisguise the illegal origins of their wealth and protecttheir asset bases in order to avoid suspicion of lawenforcement and to prevent leaving a trail of incrimi-nating evidence. Moreover, money-laundering empow-ers corruption and organized crime. Corrupt publicofficials need to be able to launder bribes, kick-backs,public funds and, on occasion, even development loansfrom international financial institutions. And organ-ized criminal groups need to be able to launder theproceeds of crime, such as drug trafficking and com-modity smuggling.

Terrorists and terrorist organizations also rely onmoney to sustain themselves and to carry out terroristacts. Money for terrorists is derived from a wide variety of legitimate and illegitimate sources. In fact,terrorists are concerned with both disguising the originand destination of funds, and the purpose for whichthey are collected. Terrorist organizations thereforeemploy techniques not dissimilar to criminal money-launderers to hide and disguise money.

UNODC works to strengthen the ability of MemberStates to combat money-laundering and to prevent thefinancing of terrorism. Upon request, UNODC helpscountries enhance their capacity for detecting, seizingand confiscating the proceeds of crime by providingrelevant and appropriate technical assistance.

AAssssiissttiinngg ccoouunnttrriieess tthhrroouugghh ccoommppuutteerriizzeedd ttoooollss

Some countries may not have the resources or expertise to develop or purchase appropriate software to collect and store financial transaction informationand carry out complex financial analysis and in-vestigations. Therefore, UNODC has developed the government office or “go” family of software packages,which form part the Office’s strategic response tocrime, particularly serious and organized crime,including money-laundering.

The go family includes integrated investigative case management and intelligence analysis tools for Financial Intelligence Units, law enforcement, regulatory, prosecution and asset recovery agencies,and for courts and other government agenciesinvolved in the criminal justice process. All the software products include multifaceted integration, and can function as stand-alone applications ortogether to form one system, depending on the needsof the requesting Member State.

GGooAAMMLL——aaddddrreessssiinngg tthhee lliinnkk bbeettwweeeenn tteerrrroorriissmm aanndd mmoonneeyy--llaauunnddeerriinngg

In today’s complex and interwoven international economy, terrorism financing and money-laundering are global problems that threaten the security and stability of financial institutions and undermine eco-nomic prosperity.

GoAML is an intelligence analysis system intended tobe used by national Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs).

money-laundering

25

Money-laundering and the link toterrorism financing

Screenshot of the goAML application.


26

These units are usually independent bodies responsiblefor receiving, storing, processing, analysing and disseminating suspicious financial transactions in line with domestic anti-money laundering laws andregulations. GoAML aims to provide FIUs—irrespectiveof size, resources and volume of financial transactionsto analyse—with a comprehensive and efficient IT solu-tion to fulfil their mandates.

The software can analyse large volumes of data and help identify and understand complex patterns of financial transactions. It also aims to introduce some standardization in practices for gathering and processing financial intelligenceinformation worldwide, in order to make international cooperation easier in the fight against financial crime.

EElleeccttrroonniicc lleeggaall rreessoouurrcceess oonn iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall tteerrrroorriissmm

Screenshot of theElectronic LegalResources onInternational Terrorismdatabase.

UNODC assists States in handling the legal aspectsof counter-terrorism work. In particular, the workfocuses on helping countries ratify and implementthe universal legal instruments against terrorismand strengthen the capacity of their criminal jus-tice systems to apply their provisions in compli-ance with the principles of the rule of law.

One of the ways this is done is by offeringMember States comprehensive and accurate legalinformation on the steps taken by the internation-al community and individual countries in the fightagainst international terrorism. A key tool is theElectronic Legal Resources on InternationalTerrorism database, which includes the full text ofthe universal instruments against terrorism andthe status of their ratification, searchable byregion, country, treaty and date. This database also contains legislation and case law from morethan 145 countries.

Model laws, legislative guides and other legaltools are also available to assist national authori-ties in setting up the structures and adopting thenecessary legislation to fully implement the globallegal framework against terrorism.

UNODC also recently developed, with theDiploFoundation, a 6-week online training course entitled “Global norms against terrorism at work,getting international law in motion”. The coursetargets criminal justice officers from around theworld, particularly from developing countries, andaims to develop skills required to effectively usethe channels for international legal cooperation in criminal matters and to develop expertise toeffectively implement the international legalinstruments. The course combines traditionaltraining methods with video-based learning activities and online interaction with UNODCcounter-terrorism experts.

BBrreeaakkiinngg tthhee lliinnkk iinn AAffgghhaanniissttaann aanndd tthhee rreeggiioonn

UNODC estimates thatthe value of the opiatesproduced and traffickedfrom Afghanistan wasUS$ 3.4 billion in 2008.Opium farmers receiveapproximately one quar-ter of this, while the restgoes to criminal groupsand warlords who con-trol the production anddistribution of drugs. The combined income of

traffickers and farmers is equivalent to 34 per cent ofthe licit Afghan gross domestic product. This moneybenefits terrorists and fuels corruption.

Much of the money is reinvested abroad. An under-developed banking sector and high banking commis-sion rates discourage Afghans from using the formalfinancial sector to transfer money. As a result, a large “non-bank informal” financial sector exists inAfghanistan, known as Hawala. Afghans rely heavilyon this alternative remittance system, which is commonly used to transfer money within, into and out of the country. While alternative remittance businesses are essential to the functioning of theAfghan economy, they can be easily misused for criminal purposes and serve as vehicles for the laundering of drug money. The situation is similar in neighbouring countries.

The Rainbow Strategy is a UNODC-coordinated regional response to the threat posed by Afghan opiates. One of the Strategy’s components is a papertitled Financial flows linked to the illicit productionand trafficking of Afghan opiates. This paper summarizes the current knowledge about the illicitfinancial flows. Produced in close cooperation with the Egmont Group, the Eurasian Group on combatingmoney-laundering and financing of terrorism, theInternational Monetary Fund, INTERPOL and the WorldBank, the Paper articulates some initial recommenda-tions to increase the knowledge about these financialflows. The paper also addresses the challenges and vulnerabilities to money-laundering at the national,regional and international levels.

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money-laundering

BBrreeaakkiinngg tthhee lliinnkk iinn VViieett NNaamm aanndd WWeesstt AAffrriiccaa

Through the project “Strengthening capacity ofthe legal and law enforcement institutions in preventing and combating money-laundering andterrorism financing”, UNODC has trained some300 investigators and law enforcement officersand some 150 procurators and judges in VietNam. As a result, the country now meets mostinternational standards related to anti-moneylaundering and countering the financing of terrorism.

Moreover, UNODC has provided direct technicalassistance to newly created Financial IntelligenceUnits in Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso and Togo.

SSttrreennggtthheenniinngg tthhee lleeggaall rreeggiimmee aaggaaiinnsstt tteerrrroorriissmm iinn AAffrriiccaa

As part of its global counter-terrorism work,UNODC trained more than 110 national criminaljustice officials from 10 Western African coun-tries to better understand and make use of theinternational legal instruments against terrorism.The assistance that UNODC provides on counter-terrorism in West Africa aims to elaborate nation-al counter-terrorism laws in accordance withinternational standards and to promote interna-tional cooperation in related criminal matters, inparticular with regard to extradition and mutuallegal assistance.

In Central Africa, UNODC trained magistratesfrom the Democratic Republic of the Congo(DRC), the Central African Republic, Angola andthe Republic of the Congo, within the frameworkof international cooperation against terrorism.The training was undertaken upon request fromthe DRC government and in cooperation with theUnited Nations Organization Mission in theDemocratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).

A training session for prison officials in Sudan.Photo: UNODC Middle East and North Africa

Lack of security enables criminal activity to thrive. Itis no coincidence that illicit drugs are grown in partsof Afghanistan and Colombia largely uncontrolled bythe central government. It is also no coincidence thatroutes for smuggling drugs, people, money and armsfollow the path of least resistance—where border controls and law enforcement are weak, officials arecorrupt and seizure rates poor. And it is no coinci-dence that the illicit exploitation of resources—whetherdiamonds, precious metals, timber or oil—occurs inunstable regions. Crime, usually organized and oftentransnational, profits from instability and tends to perpetuate it.

To enhance human security in the face of these border-crossing threats, countries need to make moreeffective use of the United Nations Convention againstTransnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), of whichUNODC is the guardian. This Convention is the maininternational legal instrument in this area and a key tospur concerted, coordinated action.

The Convention is supplemented by three Protocolswhich target specific areas and manifestations oforganized crime, namely the Protocol to Prevent,Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, EspeciallyWomen and Children; the Protocol against theSmuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air; and theProtocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of andTrafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Componentsand Ammunition.

UUNN..GGIIFFTT aanndd tthhee VViieennnnaa FFoorruumm

Human trafficking is a crime that shames us all and apriority area of action for UNODC. In the GlobalInitiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), theOffice partnered with the International LabourOrganization, the International Organization forMigration, the United Nations Children’s Fund, theOffice of the High Commissioner for Human Rightsand the Organization for Security and Cooperation in

Europe, as well as the private sector, the media and civil society, to unite against human trafficking.In a short time, UN.GIFT has become a world-renowned brand. The UN.GIFT-organized ViennaForum to Fight Human Trafficking, held from 13-15 February, not only helped raise awareness, it also stimulated cooperation and partnerships amonggovernments, civil society groups, international organizations, the media, academics and other stake-holders. The Forum gathered over 1,600 internationalparticipants, half of whom were government officialsor parliamentarians.

The day before the Forum, some 200 parliamentariansfrom around the world gathered at the AustrianParliament to discuss their role in fighting human trafficking. This Parliamentary Forum, organized inpartnership with the Inter-Parliamentary Union,encouraged members of parliament to place humantrafficking high on their domestic agendas and urgetheir respective countries to adopt concrete measuresand good practices.

towards justice and security for all

29

Towards justice andsecurity for all

Women leaders at the Vienna Forum to Fight HumanTrafficking, February 2008. Photo: UN.GIFT


30

Around 150 journalists attended the Vienna Forum,resulting in more than 6,000 separate reports onhuman trafficking in print, broadcast and online mediaoutlets. In-depth reports appeared in media such asNewsweek, Al Jazeera, the BBC, the South ChinaMorning Post, and TVRI Indonesia.

The Forum also inspired the establishment of a“Women Leaders’ Council to Fight Human Trafficking”,designed to harness and strengthen the contribution ofwomen’s leadership towards preventing, suppressingand punishing trafficking in persons, especially women and children. The council is co-chaired by theBaroness Mary Goudie, Member of the House of Lordsof the United Kingdom and Dr. Aleya Hammad,founder and member of the board of the SuzanneMubarak International Peace Movement.

CChhaalllleennggeess iinn ppoosstt--ccoonnfflliicctt ssoocciieettiieess

Instability, lack of security, humanitarian crises, weakinstitutions and extensive corruption are among themain characteristics of fragile, post-conflict States.These countries are vulnerable to criminal and terroristnetworks, which consequently aggravate instabilityand affect regional and global security. The widespreadpoverty in fragile States is of particular concern, making those countries unlikely to achieve theMillennium Development Goals.

UNODC is providing assistance to fragile States withinthe framework of the Conventions on drug trafficking,transnational organized crime and corruption, as wellas the United Nations standards and norms on crimeprevention and criminal justice.

A handwritten list of the number and type of prisoners currently incarcerated in one Sudanese prison.Photo: UNODC Middle East and North Africa

UNODC’s involvement in post-conflict/fragile States has been driven by an increase in requests from peace-keeping missions and governments for specialist assistance in the rule-of-law sector. Inputs from UNODCcomplement broader governance programmes providedby the United Nations system. In the past years, UNODChas been developing rule-of-law assistance programmesin a number of fragile post-conflict settings, in closecoordination with relevant stakeholders.

The largest UNODC programme in post-conflict/fragileStates is in Afghanistan, where the Office contributesto the democratic reconstruction of the country. Inparticular, UNODC is carrying out necessary adminis-trative reform, strengthening the legal framework andrebuilding human and physical capacity. In addition,UNODC supports the elaboration of national sectorpolicies (in areas such as counter-narcotics, justice and drug abuse-related public health), standards and model practices.

In addition, UNODC conducted several assessment missions in 2008, increasing its involvement in post-conflict/fragile societies such as Haiti, Liberia, theDemocratic Republic of the Congo, the Palestinian territories and Sierra Leone, to mention some.

UUNNOODDCC nnooww wwoorrkkiinngg iinn SSoouutthheerrnn SSuuddaann

UNODC recently started assisting the Southern SudanPrison Service with its prison reform process.Undertaken in cooperation with the InternationalCentre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal JusticePolicy and the United Nations Mission in Sudan(UNMIS), this is the first UNODC project in Sudan. The project follows a specific need identified by theSouthern Sudan Prison Service to help build andstrengthen the capacity of prison management to leadthe prison reform process. The first step was forUNODC to conduct an exploratory assessment missionto determine the kind of support that could be pro-vided. This mission also examined the feasibility ofestablishing a longer-term penal reform assistance programme.

In order to achieve sustainable reform, the resultingproject focuses on three areas: the first is informationmanagement, as the Prison Service at present operateswith hardly any reliable information on the prisonpopulation; secondly, policy development and regula-

tions, to improve the management of the PrisonService and develop durable penal policies; and finally,human resource development, as senior officials arecurrently not adequately trained to manage the reform process.

FFoorreennssiicc sscciieennccee ttoooollss

Recognizing the key role of forensic sciences to effec-tive, fair and objective criminal justice systems, theCriminal Justice Assessment Toolkit, designed andlaunched by UNODC and the OSCE in 2006, has beenupdated with a new module to assess forensic servicesand infrastructure. This additional module has beendeveloped by UNODC in collaboration with externalforensic experts. It will help practitioners and organi-zations identify areas for technical cooperation activi-ties, aiming at establishing and strengthening qualityforensic services, from crime scene investigations tolaboratory analyses and examinations.

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Forensic science equipment at the UNODC laboratory.Photo: UNODC/M. Borovansky-König


32

TTrraaiinniinngg iinn SSaauuddii AArraabbiiaa——ttrraaffffiicckkiinngg iinn ppeerrssoonnss aannddIIssllaammiicc llaaww

In May 2008, UNODC and the Naif Arab University forSecurity Sciences (NAUSS) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, jointlyorganized an extensive training workshop for SaudiArabian criminal justice practitioners on combating humantrafficking. The workshop not only resulted in a betterunderstanding of trafficking-related issues, including indi-cators of trafficking, victim protection and internationalcooperation among the criminal justice practitioners, butalso provided UNODC with an insight into the role ofSharia law in the fight against trafficking. As a follow-upto the workshop, UNODC started to prepare a publicationon “Islamic law and trafficking in persons”.

WWeesstt AAffrriiccaa:: sstteeppppiinngg uupp ccoonnttaaiinneerr ccoonnttrrooll

The Global Container Control Programme, implementedjointly by UNODC and the World Customs Organization,established a Joint Port Control Unit in the port of Dakar,Senegal, in 2007. The unit, consisting of staff from customs, police and gendarmerie, is fully operational andcontinues to cooperate with other units created under thisprogramme in Ecuador and Pakistan.

Moreover, building on this success, UNODC established and equipped a Joint Port Control Unit in the Port of Tema,Ghana in 2008. The team consists of officers from theNarcotics Control Board, police, customs, Bureau ofNational Investigation and Ghana Ports and HarboursAuthority.

UNODC continues to explore further possibilities for expanding the Global Container Control Programme to other countries in the region. In this context, expertshave undertaken a needs assessment mission to Benin,with similar missions to Côte d’Ivoire and Togo planned for 2009. Additionally, activities in three Cape Verdeanports have been aligned with the Global Container Control Programme.

Training workshop for Saudi Arabian criminal justice officials on combating human trafficking, Riyadh, SaudiArabia. Photo: Naif Arab University for Security Sciences

The Global Container Control Programme helps establishcontainer controls that prevent illicit activities while facilitating legal trade. Photo: UNODC

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HHuummaann ttrraaffffiicckkiinngg iinn CCeennttrraall AAmmeerriiccaa

Human trafficking is increasing in Central America. Takingadvantage of poverty and desperation, organized criminalgroups recruit victims through fraud, force and deception.To tackle this issue, in 2008 UNODC started assisting anti-trafficking units in several Central American countries. Theaim is to train prosecutors to compile the right evidenceand present sound cases in courts, which will help reduceimpunity and restore public confidence in the rule of law.To make the training as relevant and effective as possible,UNODC and the United Nations Latin American Institute forthe Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders areconducting a regional assessment to identify strengths,weaknesses, opportunities and threats in addressing humantrafficking offences. The findings will help design tailor-made courses to be delivered in the next two years.

The most common form of human trafficking is sexualexploitation. Photos: UNODC Mexico and Central America/W. Astrada

Methamphetaminepills, Lao People’sDemocratic Republic.Photo: UNODC

Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), synthetic drugslike amphetamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy, arefirmly established in global illicit drug markets. Morepeople use ATS than heroin and cocaine combined.

UNODC’s Amphetamines and Ecstasy: 2008 GlobalATS Assessment shows that although the number ofpeople who have used ATS at least once in the last 12months has stabilized at around 34 million worldwide,increases have occurred in parts of the world that previously had very small ATS-related problems. Drug control successes in mature markets, mostly indeveloped countries, appear to have been offset bymarket changes in the developing world.

After substantial increases in the late 1990s, the use ofsynthetic drugs in North America, Europe and Oceaniahas stabilized, albeit at high levels, and in some areaseven declined. But the problem has shifted to newmarkets, particularly in East and South-East Asia andthe Middle East over the past few years. The reporthighlights that the recent spread of ATS is stronglycorrelated with inadequate regulation and a lack ofresources to respond to this challenge. Developedcountries with sufficient resources and strategic countermeasures in place demonstrate a stabilizationand even decrease in manufacture, trafficking and use, while more vulnerable countries and regions areincreasingly targeted.

Asia, with its huge population and growing affluence,is driving demand. In 2006 and 2007, more than half of Asian countries reported an increase in meth-amphetamine use. Meanwhile in 2006, Saudi Arabiaseized more than 12 tons of amphetamine accountingfor a staggering one quarter of all ATS seized in theworld (skyrocketing from 1 per cent in 2000-2001). In 2007, the amount increased again to almost 14 tons.

OOrrggaanniizzeedd ccrriimmee ggrroouuppss nnooww iinn cchhaarrggee

With a global market value of about US$ 65 billion,synthetic drugs are highly attractive commodities.Through a small initial investment, large quantities ofATS can be manufactured almost anywhere. Whileorganized criminal groups have always been involved

in the trade, the market for ATS is moving away frombeing a “cottage industry” with small-scale manufac-turing to a more sophisticated trade led by transna-tional organized crime groups. These groups now oftencontrol the entire supply chain, from the provision ofprecursors, to the manufacture and trafficking of theend product.

SSppeecciiaall cchhaalllleennggeess ooff AATTSS

Synthetic drugs like ATS pose special drug controlchallenges. For one, it is difficult to measure howmuch is being produced. Unlike hectares of plant-based crops that can be spotted and monitored usingsatellites or ground surveys, ATS production facilities

ATS consumption on the rise

35


Clandestine methamphetamine/MDMA ("ecstasy") laborato-ry located in Cikande, Indonesia. Photo: UNODC


36

are much harder to detect and output can be difficultto measure. The fact that the precursor chemicalsneeded to make ATS are often easily accessible andwidely used for industrial purposes complicates and confuses the supply chain. Producers can adaptquickly to the latest trends and cater to local markets.In addition, because ATS can be made in the home or at least the neighbourhood of the consumer, lawenforcement has much less possibility to intervenebecause the drugs do not necessarily need to be traf-ficked across borders.

UUNNOODDCC’’ss ssttrraatteeggiicc rreessppoonnssee:: tthhee GGlloobbaall SSMMAARRTT PPrrooggrraammmmee

The 2008 Global ATSAssessment shows that we knowmore about ATS than we didfive years ago when UNODCproduced the first survey ofecstasy and amphetamines. Butit also reveals that further evi-dence is needed in order to pro-vide a more complete picture ofthe problem. Many countries are

ill-equipped to tackle the challenges posed by ATS, in terms of information-gathering, regulatory frame-works, law enforcement, forensic capabilities and/orhealth care.

UNODC’s Global Synthetics Monitoring: Analyses,Reporting and Trends (SMART) Programme aims toprovide quality information on synthetic drugs, suchas patterns of trafficking and use, and will provide the international community with the evidence needed to take more targeted action in areas of weakness.Priorities will include determined enforcement, powerful prevention and effective treatment.

The Global SMART Programme, which is starting operations in Asia and the neighbouring Pacific region,is designed to reduce the world’s information deficitabout amphetamine-type stimulants. This will be doneby working with governments—particularly in vulnera-ble regions—to improve their capacity to generate,manage, analyse, report and use synthetic drug information, and establish mechanisms to detect andreport emerging trends. The Programme will also setup improved methods for exchanging comparable synthetic drug information in priority regions.

MDMA ("ecstasy") pills, Israel. Photo: UNODC

37


TTaacckklliinngg AATTSS uussee iinn VViieett NNaamm

The abuse of ATS, including amphetamine, methampheta-mine and ecstasy, is increasing in Viet Nam, particularlyamong young people. In order to develop evidence-basedstrategies and effective measures to tackle this growth,UNODC will assist the Vietnamese government to conductan assessment of the current ATS situation in the country.This assessment will provide an overall picture of the mag-nitude and nature of the problem. Based on the findings,UNODC will then develop and implement pilot preventionprogrammes in selected locations in Viet Nam.

LLaaooss——ffrroomm mmeessss ttoo ssuucccceessss

Mr. Phieng Vang is a 45-year-old Hmong upland farmerfrom Vientiane province in the Lao People’s DemocraticRepublic. He lives with his wife and four children. Vangused to be a heavy drug user, with 20 years of opium usefollowed by two years using methamphetamine.

Although he went through two detoxification programmes,he relapsed because the drug cravings were too strong.

“I could not control myself,” he explains. “I couldn’t stopthinking and dreaming about drugs.”

Moreover, his addiction was expensive, and his son andwife have both had to take on several jobs to earn enoughmoney. “My life was a complete disaster. Nothing matteredto me, neither my family, my friends nor my farm.”

In July 2008, he was introduced to the long-term treat-ment programme established by UNODC, and, under pressure from his family, decided that he would try tobecome clean for good.

He went through 10 days of treatment at a hospital, followed by long-term outpatient care. Through counsellinghe learned that he was responsible for his own recovery. He has built up his confidence and taken an active part inmotivating other drug users to join the programme.

A few months after completing the programme, his life has turned around completely. “Now I have no cravings for drugs,” he says. “I got my health back, my body feelsstronger and I know it is a good change.”

Phieng Vang, a former heavy drug user, with his wife and son after treatment.Photo: UNODC Laos

Giving corruption a red card. Photo: UNODC/I. Kondratovitch

Across the world, corruption undermines democracy bydistorting electoral processes, perverting the rule oflaw, and creating bureaucratic quagmires which onlyexist to facilitate bribes. Corruption also impedes economic development because it discourages bothforeign investment and local small businesses thatoften find it impossible to overcome corruption-related“start-up costs”.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption(UNCAC), of which UNODC is the guardian, is theworld’s comprehensive platform for fighting corrup-tion, promoting integrity and fostering good gover-nance. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly inOctober 2003, opened for signature in December 2003and entered into force on 14 December 2005. It is thefirst legally binding, international anti-corruptioninstrument and provides a unique opportunity tomount a global response to a global problem. As of 31December 2008, 140 Member States had signed thisinstrument and 129 had become Parties to it.

UNODC encourages good governance by helping coun-tries implement the provisions of the Convention moreeffectively. The Office assists countries, particularlythose with vulnerable, developing or transitionaleconomies, to develop and use solid anti-corruptionmeasures applicable to all spheres of society.

UUNNCCAACC CCoonnffeerreennccee ooff SSttaatteess PPaarrttiieess

The Conference of the States Parties was established bythe Convention to promote and review its implementa-tion. Another aim of the Conference is to improvecooperation between countries to achieve the objec-tives set forth in the UNCAC. To this end, senior offi-cials from more than 100 States Parties met in Bali,Indonesia, in January 2008. They were joined by par-liamentarians, business leaders, crime fighters fromanti-corruption agencies, representatives of interna-tional organizations and development banks, civilsociety, the media, and the entertainment industry.

At the end of the conference, UNODC ExecutiveDirector Antonio Maria Costa summed up its results by indicating that the participants “took three stepsforward, even if they are not great leaps.” First, as aresult of the self-assessment, through which countriesanalyse their own compliance with Conventionrequirements, there is greater understanding of capaci-ties and needs. This allows for more focused imple-mentation. Second, the review mechanism, wherecountries will review each others’ progress, has pro-gressed from a blank canvas two years ago to a roughdraft. There is agreement on its guiding principles, itsterms of reference are taking shape, and there is agrowing number of eager pilot countries. Third, theBali session showcased the range of available technicalassistance and drew attention to where it is mosturgently needed.

TThhee SSttoolleenn AAsssseett RReeccoovveerryy iinniittiiaattiivvee ((SSttAARR))

The UNCAC states explicitly that the return of assetslooted from poor countries is an international priorityas well as a fundamental principle in efforts to curb

integrity and good governance

Integrity and good governance:At the top of the agenda

Screenshot of the StAR website.


40

corruption. The Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR)was launched by the President of the World Bank,Robert Zoellick, United Nations Secretary-General BanKi-moon and UNODC Executive Director AntonioMaria Costa in 2007. StAR is designed not only to helpdeveloping countries recover stolen assets, but also towork with the developed world to eliminate impedi-ments to returning looted resources.

StAR is a three-year pilot programme. The first year’swork positioned StAR to be strategic in identifyingimmediate, critical needs for knowledge products,training and tools. Partners in developing countrieshave provided invaluable insights into the problemsthey confront. Partners in the financial centres haveshared their ideas on how to make the recovery ofassets process speedier and less complex.

Within its first year, StAR has engaged with more thana dozen countries on asset recovery and launchedrecovery activities in several countries around theworld. StAR has identified major gaps in law, technicalcapacity and computer-based tools. The workplan forthe next two years addresses these gaps.

AAnnttii--ccoorrrruuppttiioonn aaccaaddeemmyy wwiitthh IINNTTEERRPPOOLL

UNODC and the International Criminal PoliceOrganization will establish the world’s first and only International Anti-Corruption Academy. TheAcademy, to be located in Laxenburg, just outside of Vienna, will open its doors in autumn 2009.

The Academy is designed to be a centre of excellencein anti-corruption education, research and training. It has a two-pronged mission: to develop curricula and training tools, and to conduct courses and anti-corruption education. It will enable more effective implementation of the United NationsConvention against Corruption which includes measures related to prevention, criminalization and law enforcement, international cooperation, and asset recovery.

FFoosstteerriinngg jjuuddiicciiaarriieess wwiitthh iinntteeggrriittyy

Since 2000, UNODC has been supporting the develop-ment and implementation of good practices in judicialreform, helping countries to address some of the mostpressing needs. The initial rationale for tackling judi-

Anti-corruption billboards in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan,to commemorate the International Day againstCorruption, 9 December 2008. Photo: UNODC Central Asia

YYoouurr ‘‘nnoo’’ ccoouunnttss!!

Throughout December, UNODC and its partners organ-ized a series of events around the world to mark theInternational Anti-Corruption Day, 9 December. Thedate coincides with the opening for signature of theUnited Nations Convention against Corruption, whichentered into force in December 2005.

The Convention against Corruption is both a cause and an effect of changing attitudes on corruption. As recently as ten years ago, corruption was onlywhispered about. Today there are signs of growingintolerance toward corruption and more and morepoliticians and chief executives are being tried and convicted.

In support of this positive and proactive stanceagainst corruption, UNODC has launched an interna-tional communication campaign. The campaign sloganCCoorrrruuppttiioonn.. YYoouurr ‘‘NNOO’’ ccoouunnttss encourages peoplearound the world to join this campaign and take a stand against corruption. Saying no makes a difference in fighting this crime. Each “no” counts.

AAffgghhaanniissttaann:: hheellppiinngg eessttaabblliisshh aann aannttii--ccoorrrruuppttiioonn aaggeennccyy

In 2008, UNODC assisted the Afghan government in establishing a High Office for Oversight (HoO). This is ananti-corruption body, established in accordance with obligations contained in the United Nations Conventionagainst Corruption, which will oversee, coordinate and support anti-corruption efforts in Afghanistan.

The HoO’s mandate also includes oversight of measuresagainst corruption to be established by all Afghan institu-

tions, including the Parliament and Supreme Court, as wellas monitoring the performance of law enforcement andjustice institutions in following up complaints and instigat-ing detection, investigation and prosecution of corruptioncases.

Moreover, the HoO has also asked UNODC to provide technical assistance and support to the Supreme Court and Attorney General’s Office for their respective Anti-Corruption Court and Anti-Corruption Unit, both soon tobe established.

41

integrity and good governance

cial reform stemmed from the increasing number ofreports of widespread corruption in the judiciary inmany parts of the world. It soon became evident, however, that judicial corruption could be addressedeffectively only as part of a broader, systematic andsustainable effort to enhance both the integrity andcapacity of the judiciary and the courts.

For example, in Nigeria, UNODC’s support has deliv-ered encouraging results. Comparing figures from 2002to those from 2007, significant improvements weredetected in all reform areas. In 2002, 42 per cent of

court users interviewed claimed that they had beenapproached to pay a bribe to expedite the court proce-dure, whereas five years later, the figure had decreasedto 8 per cent. Access to justice for prisoners awaitingtrial had improved considerably, with interviewed prisoners having been in remand on average 11months in 2007, down from 30 months in 2002. Thequality of record-keeping had improved, with 5 percent of judges considering the record-keeping ineffi-cient or very inefficient, compared to 37 per cent in2002. These improvements have resulted in reports ofimproved trust in the judicial system.

Young people in Mellat Park, Tehran, taking partin drug prevention-related sport activities.Photo: UNODC Iran

Many of the issues on UNODC’s agenda lend them-selves to regional responses, and the Office works topromote and deepen cooperation in several regions.For example, UNODC helped plan and establish region-al centres to facilitate crime information exchangeamong Central Asian States, as well as among coun-tries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, to tackle drugtrafficking and organized crime in an integrated way.

In 2008, UNODC devoted high priority to identifying new opportunities for programme development whileensuring a well-coordinated and rapid response to the needs and requests of Member States. As a result,UNODC is developing five Regional Programmes tocover the geographical regions of East Asia and thePacific, Eastern Africa, Caribbean, Central America,and the Balkans. Moreover, UNODC is establishingjoint operations with various regional organizations,such as the Organization of American States (OAS), the Organization for Security and Cooperation inEurope (OSCE) and the African Union.

TThhee RRaaiinnbbooww SSttrraatteeggyy:: AAffgghhaanniissttaann aanndd bbeeyyoonndd

Afghanistan current-ly supplies some 93 per cent of theworld’s opium. Thishas negative health,social and security

consequences regionally and worldwide. The RainbowStrategy, a regional solution to the threat posed by thesupply, trafficking and consumption of Afghan opiates,engages both Afghanistan and surrounding countriesin finding solutions.

Developed by UNODC thanks to the financial supportof the Government of Canada, the Rainbow Strategyconsists of seven operational plans that address inter-nationally agreed priority targets. The plans coverareas such as border management, precursor chemicals,

financial flows and drug abuse prevention and treat-ment. Countries and organizations are able to worktogether in different groups within the framework ofthe plans’ priorities.

The Rainbow Strategy is a result of a number of expertand policy group meetings held under the frameworkof the Paris Pact Initiative. It is a UNODC-coordinatedinternational partnership of more than 50 countriesand regional organizations to counter the trafficking inand consumption of Afghan opiates.

WWeesstt AAffrriiccaa:: aa rreeggiioonn uunnddeerr aattttaacckk

Last year, UNODC warned that West Africa was underattack from drug traffickers. In order to further coun-tries’ understanding of the issues and thus help formu-late evidence-based policies, UNODC has produced thereport Drug trafficking as a security threat in WestAfrica. According to this report, launched in October,at least 50 tons of cocaine from the Andean countries

regional strategies

43

Regional strategies to fightdrugs, crime and terrorism

Opium poppy, Afghanistan.Photo: UNODC/A. Scotti


44

transit West Africa every year, heading north wherethey are worth almost US$ 2 billion on the streets ofEuropean cities.

The problem is getting worse. Cocaine seizures havedoubled every year for the past three years: from 1,323kilograms in 2005, to 3,161 in 2006, to 6,458 in 2007.Major seizures have been made in 2008, including 600 kg of cocaine found in a plane at the airport inFreetown, Sierra Leone during the summer. Mostseizures occur by accident, leading UNODC ExecutiveDirector Antonio Maria Costa to conclude that “this isprobably just the tip of the cocaine iceberg.”

Understanding the problem is the first step. Creating aresponse is the next, and UNODC is working closely

with the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) to draw up and implement a regionalresponse action plan. Moreover, Mr. Costa has alsoproposed creating a West Africa intelligence-sharingcentre, inspired by similar initiatives in other regions.

CCooppiinngg wwiitthh ccrriimmee iinn tthhee CCaarriibbbbeeaann aanndd CCeennttrraallAAmmeerriiccaa

In the Caribbean,UNODC is working inclose collaboration withthe CaribbeanCommunity (CARICOM)to prepare a regionalprogramme of action oncrime prevention. Theprogramme will drawon findings from the2007 report Crime,Violence, and

Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in theCaribbean, undertaken with the World Bank, whichshowed that beyond the direct effect on victims, crimeand violence inflict widespread costs, generate a climate of fear for all citizens and diminish economicgrowth.

Target groups for the programme include children andyoung people at risk of engaging in violent behaviourand criminal activity, and institutions such as thepolice, judiciary, prison service and educational system. In Central America, UNODC is developing asimilar programme with the Central AmericanIntegration System (SICA).

Both programmes will cover three key areas: researchand analysis, rule of law, and crime prevention andhealth and human development. Belize, Jamaica, Haitiand Antigua and Barbuda will be pilot countries forprogramme implementation.

Furthermore, UNODC plans to establish centres ofexcellence in the region on maritime security and lawenforcement cooperation, law enforcement and judicialagencies, forensics, and urban crime.

Cocaine seizures in West Africa have doubled every year forthe past three years. Photo: UNODC

45

regional strategies

SSoouutthh--ssoouutthh ccooooppeerraattiioonn

UNODC, in close cooperation with the Iranian Drug ControlHeadquarters and Prisons Organization, provides continu-ous policy support and capacity-building to countriesacross Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

Health, prison and drug control agency officials of 14countries have visited the Islamic Republic of Iran to helpthem develop effective HIV/AIDS and drug prevention andcare programmes in their respective countries.

In fact, Iran’s HIV prevention and AIDS education policies,particularly in prison settings, constitute a regional modelof best practice. In July 2008, delegates from several SouthAsian countries visited two Iranian prisons where metha-done maintenance treatment and opium substitute treat-ment are provided for inmates. These harm reduction pro-grammes have reduced high-risk behaviour among inmates.

The delegation also studied the prison aftercare servicethat aims to reduce reoffending rates through incentivessuch as vocational training, medical aid and counselling.

Teenagers from the Mashhad Positive Club NGO learning about HIV and AIDS. Photo: UNODC Iran

The UNODC strategy for the period2008-2011, which was adopted in2007, contains a clear frameworkof results to guide the organiza-tion’s work. It seeks to promote aunified programming approach toall aspects of UNODC’s work,thereby allowing for increasedcoherence at the planning, imple-mentation, reporting and evalua-tion stages. The Strategy highlightsthat its implementation is based onthe premise of shared responsibili-ty, including between UNODC,Member States and civil society, allworking together to attain the out-lined results.

Three factors provide the basis for successful imple-mentation of the UNODC strategy: fostering coherentprogrammes; performing quality control at the projectand programme levels; and developing an effectiveflow of information through an enhanced knowledgemanagement system.

In 2008, much was accomplished in creating the normative architecture for strategy implementation.Planning and reporting tools have been redesigned to establish clear links with results identified in theStrategy. Furthermore, processes have been suggestedfor collaborative development of regional, country andthematic programmes, working together with all stake-holders while, at the same time, keeping the processtime-bound and results-oriented. A results-based management “red thread” connects the strategy to regional/country and thematic programmes, projects and workplans to individual staff members’performance goals and appraisals.

An enhanced knowledge manage-ment system, which builds uponvarious existing UNODC initia-tives, will allow for networkingbetween different areas of knowledge, functions and loca-tions. Recommendations on howto proceed in this regard to ensurethe exchange of good practicesand solution-oriented approachesto implementing the strategy arebeing considered.

The coherence of programmes andprojects has been strongly sup-ported by an integrated program-

ming approach, which pools expertise across head-quarters and field offices, divisions and functions. Thisapproach needs to be supported by quality controlprocesses and tools that have been developed and dis-cussed throughout UNODC. Capacity-building initia-tives in this regard are underway.

The internalization of these tools is supported by aseries of training courses, at headquarters and fieldoffices, on results-based management and evaluation.Furthermore, UNODC has adopted a consistent capaci-ty-building approach, through which focal points aretrained to support planning, monitoring, reporting andevaluation.

At the United Nations system level, in accordance withthe Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Commission onCrime Prevention and Criminal Justice, and subsequentUN Economic and Social Council resolutions adoptingthe strategy, the consolidated budget for 2008-2009and the draft biennial programme plan for 2010-2011are aligned with the UNODC strategy.

medium-term strategy

47

UNODC medium-term strategy—working towards results-basedmanagement

While the increase in resources and programme deliv-ery is a positive development, in particular where theincrease represents multi-year project commitments,the rapid growth in special purpose funds has placedconsiderable strain on UNODC’s programmes and pro-gramme support services which are funded fromdeclining multilateral core resources (general purposefunds and the regular budget). Most voluntary contri-butions are tightly earmarked to specific projects andleave little operating flexibility to respond to complexprogramming and management challenges. This diver-gence between the absolute decline in core resources

and growth in special purpose funds may sharpen evenfurther as UNODC expects a continued increase inproject volume for new mandates.

In response to this situation, at its 10th meeting inApril 2008, the Commission on Crime Prevention andCriminal Justice established an open-ended inter-governmental working group. This group will discussand prepare recommendations on how to ensure political ownership by the Member States and on howto improve the governance structure and financial situation of UNODC.


48

EExxppeennddiittuurreess iinn 22000088

Over the past few years UNODC has attracted substan-tially increased funding related to special purposefunds. This major increase is also reflected in anincrease in programme implementation in 2008. With

a portfolio of approximately 230 projects ongoing in2008, the latest available figures show that operationalexpenditure on drugs and crime programmes fundedfrom special purpose contributions rose 47 per cent,with expenditures growing from US$ 118 million in2007 to $172 million in 2008.

BBrreeaakkddoowwnn ooff 22000088 eexxppeennddiittuurreess bbyy tthheemmee ((ttoottaall:: UUSS$$ 117722,,444422,,222244))

BBrreeaakkddoowwnn ooff 22000088 eexxppeennddiittuurreess bbyy rreeggiioonn ((ttoottaall:: UUSS$$ 117722,,444422,,222244))

49

medium-term strategy

The United Nations Board of Auditors, in its reporton the audited financial statements for the bienni-um which ended 31 December 2007, noted thatUNODC’s budget structure continues to be charac-terized by high levels of fragmentation between itstwo programmes, the UN International Drug ControlProgramme and the UN Crime Prevention andCriminal Justice Programme. The Board recommend-ed that corrective action be taken in this regard.

Moreover, in 2008, the Board of Auditors and theUnited Nations Office of Internal OversightServices highlighted a number of risks associatedwith a UNODC funding model characterized bysignificant growth in special purpose voluntarycontributions (from US $64 million in 2003 tomore than $245 million in 2008) and declininggeneral purpose income (from an average of $21million annually between 1992 and 1998 to $15million in 2008 and projected $13 million in2009). The most common problems cited by theauditors relate to the management of financial,human and physical resources in field offices. Infinancial management, areas of concern includethe use of project resources, the assignment ofoffice costs to projects, budget management and

financial controls in respect of bank and imprestaccounts and payments, and in human resourcesmanagement, recruitment and selection of staffand consultants, record keeping, performancemanagement and training. Finally, in offices withbank accounts, almost all aspects of local procure-ment practices need stronger management and oversight. These recent audits call for thestrengthening of the financial, human resourcesand procurement functions, in particular throughrecruiting dedicated staff members with appropri-ate experience, as well as improved backstoppingand oversight from UNODC headquarters.

While UNODC is taking all necessary managementmeasures to address the concerns cited above, the flaws in the funding model is constraining theOffice’s work. As was recently emphasized in the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit report,Voluntary Contributions in United Nations SystemOrganizations, "core resources are the backbone of the funding of United Nations funds and pro-grammes and an essential determinant of the ca-pacity of their offices. A strong programme basedon core resources is a prerequisite for the effectivedeployment of earmarked non-core funds."

KKeeyy aauuddiitt ffiinnddiinnggss 22000088

UUNNOODDCC bbuuddggeett

For the biennium 2008-2009, the UNODC consolidatedbudget was US$333 million, including $38.3 millionfrom the United Nations regular budget (11.5 per cent).Voluntary contributions were budgeted in the amountof $201.8 million (61 per cent) for the drugs pro-gramme and $92.9 million (28 per cent) for the crimeprogramme. Of this, $26.8 million was expected to begeneral purpose funding for drugs and crime combined.

RReessoouurrccee mmoobbiilliizzaattiioonn

In 2008, actual voluntary contributions for both drugsand crime programmes were pledged to an amount of$258.8 million, which represents an increase of 43.6per cent compared to last year (2007: $180.2 million).

The distribution of the funding was as follows:• Earmarked or special purpose funding—

$245.5 million (94.9 per cent)• Un-earmarked or general purpose funding—

$13.3 million (5.1 per cent)

In terms of type of activity, the funding distributionbetween drugs and crime programmes was as follows:• Drugs Programme—$191.5 million

(74 per cent, compared with 63 per cent in 2007)• Crime Fund—$67.3 million

(26 per cent, compared with 37 per cent in 2007)

Since 2006, the annual level of voluntary funding forUNODC has more than doubled. This large increase hasprimarily been driven by higher contributions for pro-gramme funding (technical assistance).

DDoonnoorr ttrreennddss

UNODC intensified its cooperation with major donorsand emerging and national donors. 23 informal donormeetings were held on issues such as policy, fundingand operational priorities. Also, a fourth successive

meeting was held with the emerging and nationaldonors that focused on the implementation of the medium-term strategy, the UNODC budget for2008-2009 and the funding situation.

In 2008, the major donor group provided about 54 percent of all voluntary contributions (2007: 72 per cent),the emerging and national donor group about 39 percent (2006: 21 per cent), while others accounted forabout 7 per cent.

Particularly noteworthy were significantly increasedpledges from Brazil, China, Colombia, Czech Republic,Germany, Greece, India, Peru, Poland and the UnitedStates of America.

Key institutional support for general purpose fundingcame from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France,Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Spain, Sweden,Turkey and the United States, which together contributed about 91 per cent of the un-earmarkedfunding. Brazil, Colombia and Mexico continued toprovide significant cost-sharing for the local supportbudget. Equally important, some donor countries(France, Germany, Japan, Norway and Sweden) accelerated their general purpose contributions to sustain the core infrastructure of the Office.

resource mobilization and partnership development

51

RReessoouurrccee mmoobbiilliizzaattiioonn and partnership development

0

30

60

90

120

150

180

210

240

270

300

FFuunnddiinngg ttrreenndd


52

DDoonnoorr ssuuppppoorrtt

PPLLEEDDGGEESS FFOORR 22000088 ((DDRRUUGGSS AANNDD CCRRIIMMEE)) IINN UUSS$$ as of 22 January 2009

MAJOR DONORS

Donor Special purpose funds General purpose funds Total

1 Australia 1,348,108 465,116 1,813,2242 Austria 1,842,777 - 1,842,7773 Belgium 1,168,224 358,560 1,526,7844 Canada 14,938,233 584,795 15,523,0285 Denmark 521,286 980,392 1,501,6786 European Commission 26,562,529 - 26,562,5297 Finland 1,920,393 494,356 2,414,7498 France 2,719,707 887,574 3,607,2819 Germany 7,075,733 910,350 7,986,08310 Ireland 808,625 539,084 1,347,70911 Italy 6,746,416 1,772,526 8,518,94212 Japan 1,476,870 576,088 2,052,95813 Luxembourg 1,105,004 157,729 1,262,73314 Netherlands 9,569,855 - 9,569,85515 Norway 5,910,724 1,778,656 7,689,38016 Spain 1,190,168 232,859 1,423,02717 Sweden 11,503,649 1,062,827 12,566,47618 Switzerland 427,368 68,807 496,17519 Turkey 400,000 200,000 600,00020 United Kingdom 4,361,245 - 4,361,24521 United States 25,618,140 1,219,000 26,837,140

Sub-total major donors: 127,215,054 12,288,719 139,503,773

EMERGING AND NATIONAL DONORS


22 Algeria - 10,000 10,00023 Bangladesh - 2,000 2,00024 Bolivia 10,093 - 10,09325 Brazil 24,667,000 - 24,667,00026 Cambodia 12,000 - 12,00027 Chile - 10,000 10,00028 China 120,000 140,000 260,00029 Colombia 63,777,569 9,333 63,786,90230 Croatia - 12,000 12,00031 Czech Republic 232,330 94,887 327,21732 Ecuador 49,909 - 49,90933 Financial Intelligence Centre Namibia 180,000 - 180,00034 Greece 943,396 20,000 963,39635 Hong Kong SAR - 13,971 13,97136 Hungary - 59,524 59,524

53


MULTI-DONOR TRUST FUNDS


65 Peace Building Fund 900,000 - 900,00066 Joint Programmes 2,752,966 - 2,752,96667 Other (UNTFHS, UNDEF) 1,858,945 - 1,858,945

Sub-total multi-donor trust funds 5,511,911 - 5,511,911

UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES


68 UNAIDS 7,412,690 - 7,412,69069 UNDP 1,154,426 - 1,154,42670 UNICRI 226,476 - 226,47671 UNMAS 232,100 - 232,100

Sub-total United Nations agencies 9,025,692 - 9,025,692


37 India 375,531 103,000 478,53138 Israel - 25,000 25,00039 Kuwait - 5,000 5,00040 Liechtenstein 300,000 - 300,00041 Lithuania 145,190 - 145,19042 Malaysia 9,500 - 9,50043 Mexico 200,000 100,000 300,00044 Monaco 60,000 11,664 71,66445 Morocco - 5,000 5,00046 New Zealand 190,670 - 190,67047 Panama 200,000 3,000 203,00048 Peru 3,737,207 - 3,737,20749 Poland 107,817 - 107,81750 Portugal 344,301 25,000 369,30151 Qatar 1,358,950 - 1,358,95052 Republic of Korea - 120,000 120,00053 Romania 70,000 20,000 90,00054 Russian Federation 425,000 75,000 500,00055 Saudi Arabia - 50,000 50,00056 South Africa - 3,298 3,29857 Singapore - 5,000 5,00058 Sri Lanka - 5,000 5,00059 Slovenia - 12,953 12,95360 Tanzania 180,000 - 180,00061 Thailand 10,000 30,000 40,00062 Tunisia - 1,615 1,61563 United Arab Emirates 1,370,000 - 1,370,00064 Vietnam 20,000 - 20,000

Sub-total emerging and national donors 99,096,463 972,245 100,068,708


54

PRIVATE DONATIONS AND OTHERS


76 Ford Foundation 150,000 - 150,00077 NHN Corporation 300,000 - 300,00078 Small Arms Survey 42,500 - 42,50079 Usinas y Trasmisiones Electricas 30,000 - 30,00080 ANCAP 30,000 - 30,00081 Banco de Prevision Social 30,000 - 30,00082 ANTEL 30,000 - 30,00083 Swissmedic 63,132 - 63,13284 VEOLIA Foundation 147,929 - 147,92985 Khmer HIV/AIDS NGO Alliance 7,900 - 7,90086 Senlis Council 150,000 - 150,00087 Financial Intelligence Centre Kosovo 315,457 - 315,45788 Education for Nature—Viet Nam 21,070 - 21,07089 COPARMEX, Nuevo Leon 1,000,000 - 1,000,00090 Drug Abuse Prevention Centre—Japan 166,667 - 166,66791 Drosos Foundation 5,000 - 5,000

Sub-total private donations 2,489,655 - 2,489,655

TOTAL ALL DONORS 245,528,054 13,260,964 258,789,018

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INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (IFIs) AND OTHER INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS


72 IOM 611,518 - 611,51873 NATO-Russia Council 500,000 - 500,00074 OIF 77,761 - 77,76175 OPEC Fund 1,000,000 - 1,000,000

Sub-total IFIs and other 2,189,279 - 2,189,279inter-governmental organizations

55


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UNODC continued to strengthen its relationships withkey development finance partners.

In 2008, UNODC and the European Commission (EC)had two rounds of senior-level policy consultations.Operationally, the EC-UNODC cooperation was main-tained at the same high level as in the previous year.

In the context of the Africa Union Action Plan on Drug Control and Crime Prevention, UNODC initiated a strategic policy exchange with the AfricanDevelopment Bank in the fields of governance, anti-corruption and money-laundering, drug controland crime prevention. The organizations are alsoexploring possibilities for future cooperation.

As a follow-up to the studies Crime, Violence, and Development in the Caribbean and Crime andDevelopment in Central America, UNODC engaged at the senior policy level with the World Bank, theInter-American Development Bank and the CaribbeanCommunity (CARICOM) to explore the potential forjoint operations, particularly in the areas of crime prevention, judicial and criminal justice reform, anti-money laundering and terrorism financing, and sustainable livelihoods.

UNODC continued to cooperate with the AsianDevelopment Bank (anti-money laundering, sustain-able livelihoods), the OPEC Fund for InternationalDevelopment (HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment),and the NATO-Russia Council (Afghanistan andCentral Asia).

Cooperation with the private corporate sector as wellas with a number of private foundations is increasing-ly important for UNODC. This cooperation encompass-es advocacy, marketing support, project management

and training. It also entails direct sponsorship of cer-tain programmes, including research and publications,drug abuse prevention, crime prevention, anti-moneylaundering and anti-corruption.

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UNODC has continued to strengthen its partnershipswith other United Nations agencies, working towardsstronger UN coordination in view of the “Delivering asOne” process. A fundamental part of this has beenstrengthened UNODC engagement in coordinating bodies across the United Nations System, such as therevitalized UN Development Group. So far, UNODC hasworked closely with the UN country teams in two pilotOne United Nations countries, Cape Verde and VietNam, with a view to develop joint programmes.

With regard to mobilization of funds for joint pro-grammes, UNODC is working closely with the UnitedNations Development Programme's Multi Donor TrustFund (MDTF) office on those MDTFs for which UNDPacts as the administrative agent. So far, UNODC hasbeen successful in mobilizing resources from thePeace-building Fund MDTF for a prison reform projectin Guinea-Bissau, as well as for activities being deliv-ered under joint programmes with the UN countryteams in Kenya, Myanmar and Uganda. MDTF fundingrepresents a growth opportunity for the Office, in linewith the One United Nations principles of nationalownership, and aiming at adhering to the principles ofthe Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.

With its specialized technical expertise in criminal justice matters, UNODC continues to have a leadingrole in the Rule of Law Coordination Group, whichcomprises twelve other United Nations agenciesincluding the Department of Peacekeeping Operations,United Nations Development Programme, Office of theHigh Commissioner for Human Rights and the United


56

Nations Children's Fund. Given its specialized man-date, UNODC is taking the lead on anti-corruption,transnational organized crime including human anddrug trafficking, as well as victim and witness protec-tion and assistance. This has been consolidated in theUN Rule of Law Joint Strategic Plan 2009-2011.

Aiming to consolidate UNODC expertise in governance,anti-corruption, rule of law and criminal justice reform,and taking advantage of the synergies that can be cre-ated with other United Nations agencies, UNODC andUNDP have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in areas of common interest. Specifically,UNODC has been engaged in discussion with UNDP onjoint and strengthened anti-corruption efforts in Iraq,the western Balkans, Nigeria and several Arab States.

In April 2008, taking into account the common mandates of UNODC and the United Nations HumanSettlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) on crime prevention, efforts to drive forward a Memorandum ofUnderstanding signed earlier cumulated in approval of an operational plan. This has included the develop-ment of a joint technical assistance tool on policing in urban spaces that will be used for programmedevelopment. In addition, the two organizations under-

took joint missions to Central America to furtherdevelop technical assistance activities. Moreover,UNODC is a full-fledged partner of UN-HABITAT'sSafer Cities programme.

In terms of HIV/AIDS, UNODC is one of the cosponsorsof the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS(UNAIDS), specifically addressing the areas ofHIV/AIDS and injecting drug use, in prison settings,and among persons vulnerable to human trafficking.UNODC is coordinating its activities at the country andregional level with UNAIDS and its cosponsoringagencies.

UNODC has also strengthened its partnership withDPKO, specifically through activities in Haiti with theUnited Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. A jointevaluation mission was conducted, aiming to developa technical assistance programme to strengthen therule of law and criminal justice reform. Other exam-ples from the country level—in the spirit of One UN—include active UNODC engagement in Cape Verde onlaw enforcement issues and exploring possibilities ofwork in Guinea-Bissau with the United Nations Peace-Building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau, particularlyin the area of prison reform.

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