On World Drug Day, Indian actor-entrepreneur Suniel Shetty extended support to UNODC’s efforts with a powerful message, calling on communities to reject drug use and support those affected. Shetty is widely popular for his extensive work in the Indian film industry, and has appeared in over 100 films. His heartfelt plea highlighted the importance of awareness and collective action to address the drug challenge, with a whole-of-society approach.
On World Drug Day, Indian badminton icon Saina Nehwal delivered an inspiring and heartfelt message, calling on communities to reject drug use and support those affected. Nehwal is an acclaimed sportsperson, a former world number one and the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in badminton. Nehwal highlighted the importance of awareness and community support in preventing drug use, while emphasizing the crucial role of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in promoting a drug-free society.
Marking the World Drug Day, a multi-stakeholder dialogue was convened, with government officials, diplomatic representatives and UN agencies reflecting on the findings of the World Drug Report 2024. UN Resident Coordinator in India and the Chairperson from the National Commission on Protection of Child Rights addressed the gathering. Special messages from Indian Actor-Entrepreneur Suniel Shetty and Badminton Icon Saina Nehwal were also screened at the event, raising awareness on drug use prevention.
UNODC, in collaboration with Bangladesh Police, has spearheaded a transformative approach to strengthen community and beat policing. Two recent training sessions focused on enhancing community trust and legitimacy to counter violent extremism. Law enforcement practitioners were sensitised on evolving threats and the best possible means to deal with those threats. Experts shared international good practices to strengthen trust in all dimensions of policing by fostering an ethical climate, promoting procedurally just policing and optimising communication to promote transparency and trust.
With the RiseUp4Peace initiative, thousands of students and educators across India and beyond have been engaged with innovative classroom interventions and creative projects on peace and the rule of law. In June, eight interactive sensitization and capacity-building dialogues were conducted, reaching over 4,000 educators and young people and generating meaningful discussions on SDG 16 and related themes. Educators were sensitized on UNODC’s educational frameworks and tools, such as the GRACE and YEA Frameworks. Feedback from participants underscores its transformative impact on education and community cohesion.
Under the framework of GLO.ACT Bangladesh, 20 officials from the Government of Bangladesh and Government of Libya engaged in intensive discussions on countering human trafficking and smuggling of migrants at the third bilateral meeting in Doha. The meeting enhanced cooperation between the two nations and served as a follow-up to the previous bilateral meetings held in September 2022 and May 2023.
In collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, a high-level national consultation was held in Kathmandu with key criminal justice stakeholders, to identify legal and policy challenges with regard to access to justice for victims of sexual violence, polygamy, trafficking in persons, drugs and crime. The consultation brought forward several recommendations, stressing the urgent need to review existing laws on rape, human trafficking, juvenile justice, drug offenses, money laundering, cybercrimes, and financial crimes.
Officials from criminal justice entities participated in a UNODC-led inter-agency exercise on investigating and prosecuting terrorism cases, featuring a simulated terrorist incident. Participants worked in groups to respond to a fictitious attack, identifying strengths, gaps, and corrective measures in current cooperation mechanisms.
As youth champions under UNODC’s RiseUp4peace initiative, Aarushi and her friend Alviya Haider, are working tirelessly to sensitise educators and peers on the importance of inclusive classrooms and disability rights. The RiseUp4Peace initiative builds capacities of educators and engages students with a positive framework of education and action on important social themes—including anti-discrimination and inclusion.
UNODC provided strategic inputs on the Joint National Action Plan to prevent drug use in children during a National Consultation organized by the NCPCR and Narcotics Control Bureau. The event, chaired by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, involved deliberations on protecting children and drug use prevention initiatives.
UNODC supported the Government of Nepal by developing and producing essential awareness-raising material to enhance drug use prevention initiatives. The information tools were unveiled at an event chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs and attended by representatives from key ministries, law enforcement, civil society and media.
In Sri Lanka, UNODC trained practitioners on effective evidence-based treatment and care for people who use drugs and people with drug use disorders. The training was aimed at promoting quality and safe management services and facilitate coordination/communication among relevant stakeholders in treatment and care.
In India, insights on drug use prevention and findings of the World Drug Report 2024 were shared at events hosted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU). Thousands of students advocated for a drug-free society with posters and artwork on drug use prevention.
In Maldives, UNODC conducted a training session on gender and age-responsive drug use prevention. 15 officials of the National Drug Agency discussed treatment and recovery and harm reduction based on science and human rights-based principles.
Under a joint capacity building series with the Bangladesh Police Staff College, UNODC trained 100 newly recruited police officials on addressing the drug problem and supporting civil society to implement harm reduction initiatives for drug users.
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
