VIENNA/BANGKOK, 12 December 2018 - Yury Fedotov, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), concluding his visit to Southeast Asia today, highlighted the importance of tackling threats posed by drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism to promote security and prosperity in the ASEAN region.
Mr. Fedotov met Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Prajin Juntong and other Thai officials to discuss UNODC cooperation through its Regional Office in Bangkok, including to support Thailand's chairmanship of ASEAN next year.
"Thailand's 2019 chairmanship is an opportunity to renew cooperation against crime, terrorism and other threats - a critical challenge for the ASEAN community if the region wants to promote security and prosperity for its nearly 650 million citizens," he said. "UNODC remains engaged in supporting ASEAN in its priorities and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and will help Thailand to advance regional border management plans and liaison offices as a solution to transnational crime and trafficking."
During his visit to the region, the Executive Director joined the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in Kuala Lumpur to present the 2018 International Anti-Corruption Excellence Awards.
While in Malaysia, he also met Minister Liew Vui Keong and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary General of the Asian Football Confederation Windsor Paul John to prevent and combat match-fixing and corruption in sport.
In Brunei, he met Minister of Defence II the Hon. Pehin Halbi Yussof, Minister of Health the Hon. Dato Isham Jaafar, Attorney General the Hon. Dato Hairol Majid, the Commissioner of Police Dato Jammy Shah Al-Islam, and Pengiran Sazali Pengiran Yakob, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office.
In Singapore, which currently chairs ASEAN, Mr. Fedotov met Minister for Manpower and Home Affairs Josephine Teo, Secretary for Home Affairs Pang Kin Keong and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan. He also paid a visit to the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association, an NGO supporting people to prevent drug use and overcome drug dependency.
Mr. Fedotov also met with the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana to discuss UN development system reform and the partnership of UNODC and UN ESCAP to support ASEAN and advance the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific region.
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For further information, please contact:
Sonya
Yee
Speechwriter and Spokesperson, UNODC
Telephone: (+43 1) 26060-4990
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-4990
Email: sonya.yee[at]un.org
