United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a United Nations agency established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention. The agency is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and is responsible for assisting Member States in their fight against illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism.

History

The UNODC’s roots can be traced back to the United Nations Drug Control Programme, which was established in 1991, and the Centre for International Crime Prevention, which was created in 1997. The two entities merged in 2002 to form the UNODC, strengthening the United Nations’ capacity to address the interrelated issues of drug control, crime prevention, and international terrorism.

Mandate and Objectives

The UNODC’s mandate is to assist Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism. The agency’s objectives include:

• Conducting research and analysis to increase knowledge and understanding of drugs and crime issues and expand the evidence base for policy and operational decisions.
• Assisting States in the ratification and implementation of relevant international treaties, such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
• Providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to Member States to strengthen their justice systems, law enforcement agencies, and health services in addressing drug and crime-related challenges.
• Developing and implementing drug control and crime prevention programmes tailored to the specific needs of countries and regions.

Thematic Areas

The UNODC focuses on several thematic areas, including:

• Organized Crime and Trafficking: Combating transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling of migrants, and illicit manufacturing and trafficking of firearms.
• Corruption: Supporting Member States in implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption and promoting transparency and integrity.
• Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice: Promoting the rule of law, strengthening criminal justice systems, and supporting crime prevention initiatives.
• Drug Abuse Prevention and Health: Promoting evidence-based drug abuse prevention and treatment, and supporting HIV prevention, treatment, and care among drug users and prison populations.
• Terrorism Prevention: Assisting Member States in preventing and combating terrorism, including through legal and technical assistance.

World Drug Report

The UNODC publishes the annual World Drug Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in global drug markets, including production, trafficking, and consumption trends. The report also analyses the health and social consequences of drug use and highlights best practices in drug prevention and treatment.

Field Offices

The UNODC has a global network of field offices that support the implementation of its programmes and provide technical assistance to Member States. The agency has regional offices in Thailand (Bangkok), Senegal (Dakar), Egypt (Cairo), Kenya (Nairobi), and Panama (Panama City), as well as country offices and project offices in various locations worldwide.

Cooperation with Other Entities

The UNODC collaborates closely with other United Nations agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as with regional organizations, civil society groups, and the private sector to address drug and crime-related challenges in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. The agency also partners with INTERPOL and other international law enforcement organizations to combat transnational organized crime and terrorism.

Funding

The UNODC is funded through the United Nations regular budget and voluntary contributions from Member States, multilateral organizations, and private donors. The agency’s budget for the biennium 2021-2022 is approximately USD 700 million, with the majority of funds allocated to technical cooperation and field-based programmes.