By connecting policymakers across sectors and borders from India and the Maldives, a UNODC training held in collaboration with the the National Institute of Social Defence, Government of India laid the groundwork for a network of experts who can share resources, strategies, and insights on drug use prevention and treatment. Participants shared ideas for prevention programs tailored to their local contexts, incorporating the advanced psychosocial strategies they learnt. Supported by the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the training brought together 26 policymakers of India and the Maldives from diverse sectors including health and justice.
UNODC GMCP in close collaboration with the GPCD organized a Regional Roundtable and Systems Analysis Exercise on Mapping Drug Trafficking Networks in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region to facilitate information sharing among regional practitioners and experts in maritime security, based on the assessment findings. A report titled ‘Organized Criminal Networks linked with Drugs Trafficking in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region’ compiling these findings was launched during the programme.
Over 300 educators and 4,200 students across India and 35 countries explored with UNODC practical classroom interventions on themes such as integrity and ethics, mental health, gender equality and cyber safety—issues that resonate deeply with young minds. With hands-on activities, open reflections and ideation in mixed groups, educators and young people collaborated to highlight emerging vulnerabilities and ways to empower the next generation to resist negative influences and embrace positive values.
Sri Lanka: UNODC equips law enforcement with new skills to disrupt wildlife and forest crime
UNODC Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment (GPCAE) convened a specialised training on Financial Investigations of Wildlife and Forest Crime in Galle, Sri Lanka. 20 officials from the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), Customs, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), and Prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Department joined the training. The discussions covered aspects of understanding financial flows, evidence matrix, searching and analysing financial records, open-source intelligence and financial investigation interview techniques.
(Supported by the
US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs)
Indian Badminton icon Saina Nehwal shared a heartfelt message, emphasizing the link between sports and education in teaching rules, ethics and integrity. She extended her support to UNODC's RiseUp4Peace initiative, highlighting how education empowers youth to foster peace, uphold the rule of law, and build a just and inclusive society.
Indian Film Actor and Entrepreneur Suniel Shetty shared a powerful and moving message in support of UNODC’s RiseUp4Peacer initiative on International Youth Day, emphasizing the critical role of education in empowering young people to foster peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. He highlighted the importance of educators in instilling values like integrity and ethics in young minds.
UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia Mr. Marco Teixeira shared insights at a Track 1.5 EU-India dialogue on countering terrorist content online and moderated discussions with international experts on promoting critical thinking in the digital age to fight extremism.
Sensitising prison officials on UN Standard Minimum Rules of Treatment of Prisoners
In Nepal, 23 mid-to-senior level prison officials were sensitised on prison management in line with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, in partnership with the Department of Prison Management. The training also identified key areas for cooperation through group exercises.
In Shillong, Meghalaya, educators from 22 public, private and rural schools gained insights to develop interventions to promote SDG16 education in classrooms. They ideated initiatives such as dedicated student councils against bullying, cyber awareness programs and empathy dialogues.
In Gaur village near India’s Varanasi, students have evolved into confident advocates for peace and the SDGs through UNODC’s RiseUp4Peace, leading with powerful voices, engaging in peer-to-peer learning on issues like gender discrimination, mental health and negative digital influences.
UNODC’s RiseUp4Peace initiative engaged educators and students from 14 Assam schools at Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti School in Guwahati (Assam) to tackle critical issues like mental health, anti-corruption, and cybersecurity. Educators and students brainstormed creative solu-tions, using art, technology, and research to align with NEP2020 and SDG goals.
In Varanasi, the UNODC RiseUp4Peace workshop with Varanasi Saho-daya Complex and DPS Varanasi brought together educators and students from 18 schools to integrate peace and integrity into education. Together they reflected on innovative responses: mental health communities and student councils against negative influences, among others.
Students promote messages on integrity and anti-corruption through creative vlogs
In Punjab (India), the Kamla Nehru Public School (KNPS) Phagwara hosted 64 students from 32 Jalandhar Sahodaya Schools, who produced creative vlogs and interactive videos featuring key messages on integrity, ethical behaviours and anti-corruption.
RiseUp4Peace youth champions spearhead social initiative on disability inclusion
Two young people, Aarushi Gambhir and Alviya Haidar, were mentored as “RiseUp4Peace champions” and given knowledge support to create a youth-focused initiative, Enable Education, advocating for disability inclusion with dialogues and comic strips.
Join the UNODC Network in South Asia
Our Partners
Our activities in South Asia are possible
due to the generous support of:
Canada
European Union
Germany
India
Japan
Joint UN Program Fund
Norway
Sweden
United Kingdom
United States of America
UBRAF/UNAIDS
UN Secretary General's Peace Building Fund
UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund
Government Partners:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Call for Partnerships:
Impacting Lives with Innovation
Advancing Crime Prevention, Justice and Health in South AsiaUNODC Regional Office for South Asia has developed a wide range of projects and initiatives on the following thematic areas:
-Building law enforcement capacities against drugs and organised crime
-Addressing drug use and HIV/AIDS -Enhancing multi-stakeholder responses to counter Trafficking in Persons -Engaging young people and educators on crime prevention, integrity, Global Goals and peace with educational interventions
-Promoting family skills to reduce risky behaviours among young people -Countering corruption -Addressing Gender-based Violence
-Strengthening responses to prevent and counter wildlife crime
-Countering cybercrime and promoting online safety
We seek activesupport to enable the implementation of these programs and to scale-up efforts to promote security, justice and health among vulnerable groups in South Asia. Our partnerships aim at building national and regional alliances on our mandates, which are closely linked to national, regional and global priorities as well as the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Let's join hands to enable and aid large-scale and impactful initiatives that help people lead safer and healthier lives . Your support can make all the difference!
To know more, please contact:
Mr. Samarth Pathak
Communications Officer
UNODC Regional Office for South Asia
Email: samarth.pathak@un.org Cellphone: +91-9811347927
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) assists Member States in their efforts to combat illicit drugs and international crime. Over the past two decades, the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia(ROSA) has been working with governments and civil society in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, providing specialized assistance to address challenges pertaining to drugs, organised crime, security, justice and health. The commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, human rights and the rule of law is at the core of our mandate.
Contact Us
C-97 (Ground Floor), Defence Colony, New Delhi-110024, India
Email: samarth.pathak@un.org
