On the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, UNODC hosted a regional web dialogue with experts from South Asia, focusing on child protection and anti-trafficking strategies. Discussions emphasised emerging threats, cyber risks, vulnerabilities of children as well as good practices. In Kathmandu, over 500 officials, educators, civil society members, and young people gathered to reaffirm their commitment to end human trafficking with collective action. Additional events in Dhaka and India were aimed at enhancing regional coordination and knowledge exchange.
At Sudhowala Prisons, Project Second Chance and UNODC unveiled “Mandela Chess”, a unique game that integrates chess with teachings on the Nelson Mandela Rules. It serves as a dynamic educational tool crafted to instill the core principles of the Nelson Mandela Rules (NMR) into the daily operations of prison management. The game encourages participation from all levels of prison staff, regardless of rank, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives contribute to improved management practices.
UNODC provided Maldives Police Service (MPS) with one aerial and one underwater drone, within the framework of the project “Support to Addressing the Risk of Terrorism and to Increasing Security in the Maldives”, carried out with funding from the European Union. Through the use of the drones, MPS will benefit from strengthened capacities to monitor large maritime areas more effectively and efficiently. An end-user agreement was signed to ensure the drones are used in line with human rights standards, including privacy and data protection.
With the RiseUp4Peace initiative, UNODC’s emphasis is on ensuring a real hands-on approach that puts young minds and educators at the center. The initiative, spearheaded in partnership with a network of educators across India and beyond, focuses on equipping both students and teachers to build a culture of peace, uphold the rule of law, and embrace integrity. Through a series of impactful workshops and dialogues, educators and students are not just learning about these principles--they are actively embedding them into their schools and communities.
Responding to drug use challenges, the government of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with UNODC, has embarked on a transformative journey to combat the widespread impact of addiction, with support of Japan. A cornerstone of this initiative has been the training of 280 national trainers, facilitators, coordinators, and practitioners on evidence-based prevention and treatment programs. Additionally, over 600 stakeholders, both national and international, have been educated on science-based, human-rights-oriented and age-and gender-responsive approaches, aligning with the UNODC-WHO International Standards on Drug Use Prevention and Treatment.
In Chhattisgarh, UNODC and Raipur Police partnered through the RiseUp4Peace initiative and Nijaat campaign, launching impactful capacity-building and sensitization interventions for educators and young people. Over 2,000 educators, leaders, youth, and law enforcement officials came together to develop strategies for promoting peace, integrity, and drug use prevention, fostering resilience and a positive culture among students.
In Salem, Tamil Nadu, 120 educators and 1200 students from 25 schools were equipped with skills and knowledge on SDG16 education. Together, they reflected on crucial themes such as cyber safety, anti-discrimination, anti-corruption, mental health, and gender equality. They also ideated and developed initiatives such as peer-led networks, cyber awareness app and others, showcased at a school-led SDG16 Fest at the Sri Seshaas International Public School.
In Kochi, Kerala, the UNODC RiseUp4Peace workshop with GEMS Modern Academy brought together educators and students from 21 schools to integrate peace and integrity into education. Together, they ideated innovative responses, such as mental health buddy programs and student councils for inclusivity and cybersecurity.
India: UNODC strengthens law enforcement capacities on open source intelligence
In India, digital capabilities of law enforcement entities were strengthened through a five-day hands-on training on open source intelligence, virtual assets and digital evidence for officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Narcotics Control Bureau, National Forensic Sciences University, Financial Intelligence Unit and others.
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
