Critical infrastructures are vital for the economy of any country, serving as the backbone for essential services such as energy, transport, finance, defense, healthcare, and telecommunications. However, measures need to be put in place to protect critical infrastructures. To better understand how to secure the investments and protect critical infrastructures, address current challenges, share best practices, and explore potential partnerships, UNODC organized a dedicated meeting with various European Commission services in Brussels. more
The increasing globalization, industrialization, and economic interconnectedness of recent decades require the creation of integrated mobility systems and trade connections that are sustainable, resilient, and secure. To understand all the implications of increased connectivity, address current challenges, share best practices, and explore potential partnerships, UNODC organized an exchange with various European Commission services in Brussels. more
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was observed on 30 July 2024 in Belgium and around the world. With the theme “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking”, this year’s global campaign focused on the vulnerability of children and emphasized the urgent need to accelerate action to end child trafficking. UNODC, European, and Belgian partners joined forces to mark World Day and raise awareness through the Blue Heart Campaign. more
To celebrate World Environment Day, UNODC together with UNEP and OHCHR, participated to the Fête de l’Environnement, a major public outreach event organized by the City of Brussels on a bi-annual basis. In a one UN spirit, the UN agencies engaged with the public on the importance of environmental action and current challenges, including the right to a healthy environment and the need to address crimes that affect the environment. more
In a context of unprecedented challenges to global peace and security, in particular the continued impact of crime and insecurity in Europe and globally, the EU and UNODC met to discuss shared priorities and enhance their cooperation. The key areas addressed were migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings, illicit financial flows, critical infrastructure protection and illegalities associated with critical raw materials’ supply chains. more
Critical raw materials (CRMs) are closely linked to green technologies and are at the heart of the EU green transition and climate neutrality goals. They are irreplaceable for technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, or energy-efficient lighting, to name a few. Ensuring sustainable CRM extraction and trade therefore is key to the EU’s energy security and economic resilience. more
At the Protection of Children in Armed Conflicts conference in Brussels, Ms. Waly was joined by Parliamentarians, students, and young researchers – some of whom came from areas affected by armed conflicts – in an effort to include these groups in policymaking. more
Large inequalities remain in the availability of internationally-controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), 75% of the world’s population has limited or no access to controlled medicines. more
The threat of violent extremism on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief (XRIRB), is a global threat. more
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was observed on 30 July 2023 in Belgium and around the world with a resounding call to "reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind". UNODC, European, and Belgian partners joined forces to mark World Day and raise awareness through the Blue Heart Campaign. more
On 9-10 June, the UN Brussels Task Force on Youth participated in the European Youth Event held and organized by the European Parliament in Strasbourg. more
More than 60 representatives from anti-corruption entities, criminal justice authorities, governments, sports organizations, and private sector from the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) participated in the two-day workshop on “Safeguarding sport from corruption: Focus on the ASEAN” organized by UNODC. more
To further support Member States’ efforts in strengthening the capacities of their criminal justice systems, UNODC held a regional workshop on the effective implementation of ICSANT for South-Eastern European countries on 21-22 March 2023 in Vienna and in the context of an EU-funded programme. more
In a context of increasingly inter-connected challenges to global peace and security and continued impacts of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) met this week to discuss shared priorities in the fight against organised crime, terrorism, and corruption as well as drug issues. more
UNODC, INTERPOL, and the European Commission came together to co-organise a seminar on “False Trades: Uncovering the scale and scope of trafficking in cultural property”. Trafficking in cultural property, together with the destruction of cultural heritage, has been recognized as a threat to international peace and security by the UN Security Council, along with it being an impediment to the enjoyment of cultural heritage as a human right guaranteed by international law, and to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. more
