Annual Report - 2008
Drugs, crime and terrorism remain three of the greatest threats to the peace, security and well-being of humanity. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is therefore in high demand. Growing confidence in the ability of UNODC to help States confront these challenges was reflected in a healthy increase in voluntary contributions in 2007. Recognition of the valuable work that the Office is carrying out is growing in the media, the public and among peer organizations.
The work carried out by UNODC in 2007 reaffirmed the merits of the Office's three-pronged approach, which is based on research that ensures that policy is evidencebased, a strong legal framework that helps States fight drugs, crime and terrorism according to the rule of law and an operational response that is made possible by the political ownership of the States concerned, technical assistance from UNODC headquarters and the involvement of the Office's worldwide network of field offices.
Success depends on building partnerships between UNODC and Member States and between UNODC and other United Nations entities, regional organizations, development banks, international financial institutions, civil society, the private sector and the media. This is important for generating political will, pooling resources, sharing information and mobilizing support. Most of all, it is essential for generating a society-wide response to issues like drugs, human trafficking and corruption, which affect us all.
In 2007, UNODC continued its active engagement in core countries and regions—Afghanistan, Myanmar, Central Asia and the Andean countries—while expanding its work in West Africa. Human trafficking and corruption took centre stage. Drug control efforts, which have long focused on supply and interdiction, stressed demand reduction. These issues are profiled in this annual report. As you will see, the challenges are great.
Opium trafficking is fuelling instability in one of the world's most dangerous regions. Afghanistan and its neighbours are trying to cope with the consequences and UNODC is there to help by providing and analysing data on opium poppy crops, facilitating regional cooperation and assisting affected countries to strengthen border management and drug control. Cocaine trafficking is threatening the security and sovereignty of vulnerable West African countries that are being used as a hub for drug consignments travelling between Andean producers and European consumers. UNODC has alerted the world to the problem and is on the ground helping embattled Governments to bolster their defences.
The menace of drug trafficking has caught Central America and the Caribbean in a cross-fire that is jeopardizing security and development. UNODC has studied the factors that make this region vulnerable in order to stimulate a suitable response.
Drug addiction is killing millions of people every year and creating misery for tens of millions of others. The injection of drugs is spreading HIV and hepatitis. UNODC is urging States to put a stronger emphasis on drug prevention and treatment, and is providing technical assistance to reduce the harm that drugs pose to users and society as a whole.
Human trafficking is becoming more exposed and better understood thanks, in part, to the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT). The challenge now is to take action.
Corruption is a cancer that continues to kill people's trust in public administration and erode the common wealth built by society. UNODC is helping States prevent corruption, build integrity and recover stolen assets.
This wide range of activities is taking on a more strategic direction now that policy planning and the budget have become more closely integrated. UNODC has set clearer milestones for itself by adopting a new medium-term Strategy for the period 2008-2011 and has made it easier for Member States to understand what the Office can offer by drawing up a new Menu of Services. All of this will enable UNODC to live up to growing expectations.