UNODC

The United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) was established as a consequence to the General Assembly Resolution 45/179 of 21 December, 1990 with the responsibility of coordinating all drug control activities within the United Nations system. In 1997, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established through a merger between the UNDCP and the United Nations Centre for International Crime Prevention, and is"mandated to assist Member States in their struggle against illici drugs, crime and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations".

In the Millennium Declaration (2000), Member States resolved to intensify efforts to fight transnational organized crime in all its dimensions, to redouble the efforts to implement the commitment to counter the world drug problem and to take concerted action against international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

UNODC is active in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices and is headed by an Executive Director, at the Under-Secretary-General level, who also serves as the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna.

Mission

The mission of UNODC is to contribute to the achievement of security and justice for all by making the world safer from crime, drugs and terrorism. The activities of UNODC are based on three pillars: (i) research and analysis (evidence–based policies); (ii) establishment of international norms and standards (UN Conventions); and (iii) capacity-building through technical assistance.

The mandate of UNODC derives from several UN conventions and General Assembly resolutions and the conclusions and recommendations of its governing bodies:

  • The Commission on Narcotic Drugs: the central polilcymaking body within the Untied Nations system dealing with drug-related matters. The Commission monitors the world drug situation, develops strategies on international drug control and recommends measures to combat the world drug problem, including through reducing demand for drugs, promoting alternative development initiatives and adopting supply reduction measures.
  • The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ): the central body within the United naitons system dealing with crime prevention and criminal justice policy. It monitors the use and application of relevant United Nations standards and norms. the Commission offers Member States a forum to exchange expertise, experiences and information, to develop national and international strategies and to identify priorities for combating crime.

Thematic area's

The UNODC expertise and services can be summarized under the following thematic areas:

  • Drug prevention, treatment and care 
  • Crime prevention and criminal justice
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Drug trafficking
  • Corruption
  • Human trafficking and migrant smuggling
  • Money-laundering
  • Piracy
  • Terrorism prevention 

For more information about the UNODC please visit www.unodc.org.