Annual Report - 2009

2009 marks a centenary of drug control. One hundred years 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 reduced dramatically. Over the past few years, drug use and production have stabilized. Still, there are too many illicit drugs in the world, too many people suffering from addiction, and too much crime and violence associated with the drugs trade.

This Annual Report provides an overview of what UNODC is doing to address the threat posed by drugs and crime.

Concerning drugs, the Office's crop surveys keep the world informed about the amount of opium in Afghanistan and South-East Asia, and the amount of coca in the Andean countries. In 2008, a Global Assessment sounded the alarm about the use of amphetamine-type stimulants, particularly in the developing world.

Operationally, UNODC has rallied regional and international cooperation to stem the flow of Afghanistan's opium (through the Paris Pact), and to address the threat posed by drug trafficking to the security of West Africa. We are stepping up our engagement in Central America and the Caribbean to reduce the vulnerability of these regions to drugs and crime.

UNODC is a leader in enhancing drug prevention and treatment, and in assisting states to reduce the adverse health and social consequences of drug abuse (including 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 control activities to strengthen the rule of law. This is not only an important end in itself, it is the basis for socioeconomic growth. In that sense, it can be considered a prerequisite for achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

In 2008, a major focus was on fighting human trafficking—a cause which gained considerable attention and momentum as a result of the Vienna Forum against 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 to strengthen 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 terrorism financing, and recover stolen assets. This takes on added significance as criminals exploit the economic crisis to launder the proceeds of crime through a financial system starved of liquidity. As this Annual Report demonstrates, in an unstable world, the information and expertise provided by UNODC are in high demand. In response, UNODC is expanding its portfolio, and becoming active in new issues and theatres.