The Inspector General of Police, Bangladesh and UNODC recently discussed improving the effectiveness of Bangladesh Police through advanced training. The collaboration aims to bolster skills against cybercrime, human trafficking, and transnational crime while fostering better community relations for more empathetic policing.
UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia Mr. Marco Teixeira presented insights from the World Drug Report and shared good practices on prevention and treatment at the national consultation on substance use disorders in India convened by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The panel of experts from WHO, UNODC, UNAIDS, NDDTC, and PWUD/PWID emphasized the importance of a holistic, health-centric approach to substance use disorders.
India: Advancing Cooperation on Prison Health and International Standards
Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry and IPS (Retd) Dr. Kiran Bedi and UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia Mr. Marco Teixeira held discussions to advance cooperation on prisons and international standards. Dr. Bedi shared valuable insights on prison reform and engaged with Team UNODC South Asia.
India: Promoting collaborative efforts on disability rights and inclusion with education
Inclusion is not just an ideal—it is a fundamental right. UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia Mr. Marco Teixeira addressed the 2nd Zero Project India Conference. He emphasised the role of education in creating inclusive societies and multi-stakeholder action on disability rights.
Principals and educators from 32 Delhi NCR schools explored ways to embed peace, lawfulness and integrity in classrooms, and brainstormed interventions responding to challenges like cyber safety, mental health, and peer pressure. The focus on good practices and policy linkages with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provided a framework for integrating these critical themes into everyday educational practices.
In support of RiseUp4Peace, the Kamla Nehru Public School Phagwara engaged 110 educators from 5 schools in Punjab (India) in an anti-drug awareness drive, led by Ms. Rupinder Kaur, Superintendent of Police Phagwara. The drive emphasised collective responses to address youth vulnerabilities." Empowerment of teachers is key to winning this battle, and we stand committed to address this cause head-on," participants said. The awareness drive will now expand to engage students and parents with educational interventions.
15 schools in Noida, Uttar Pradesh committed to strengthen education on peace, integrity and inclusion at a RiseUp4Peace workshop. Calling for collective responses to address student vulnerabilities, educators exchanged powerful strategies to foster safe spaces while over 80 students shared inspiring insights on inclusion and ethics. Discussions brought to the fore critical issues affecting young minds, including cyber safety, violence, gender divides and mental health.
UNODC GMCP facilitated a four-day study visit to Kenya, for five senior community correctional officers at the Department of Community-based Corrections in Sri Lanka. The study visit entailed a series of high-level meetings and several field visits, enabling the participants to get an overview of the policy and legal framework underlying the Kenyan approach to correctional management.
Over 40 judges from the High Court, Criminal Court, Family Court, Drug Court, and Magistrate Courts spanning 27 islands came together for a virtual UNODC workshop to bolster the Maldives' judicial response to terrorism and violent extremism. Supported by the European Union, this initiative not only facilitated crucial discussions on contemporary challenges but also equipped participants with practical tools and strategies on themes such as the use of artificial intelligence in counter-terrorism and effective techniques for collecting electronic evidence.
In Nepal, 16 officials from Customs and the Tribhuvan International Airport Police received intensive training and knowledge tools on countering insider-driven contraband smuggling, in close partnership with the Department of Customs.
In Nepal, 50 health and prison officials from all 7 provinces reviewed and provided strategic inputs to the Standard Operating Procedures on Prison Health through a consultation convened by Department of Prison Management, Government of Nepal and UNODC.
In Nepal, UNODC partnered with UNRCPD and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal for a National Workshop on Small Arms and Light Weapons. Discussions focused on UNTOC, Firearms Protocol and the Organized Crime Strategy Toolkit.
In India, 60 teachers joined the Educators Summit hosted by Delhi’s Ahlcon International School, reflecting on education to advance SDGs. With national experts, they explored innovative teaching practices to strengthen students’ resilience.
In support of RiseUp4Peace, a creative Peace Alphabet Book was developed by the Thakurpukur Center for Peace and Development Initiative and Funlish Language School (Kolkata) to introduce children to SDG16 in classroom.
In support of RiseUp4Peace, students and educators are leveraging online tools to explore themes of peace, justice and responsible digital use. Learners are actively reflecting on values like integrity and empathy in the digital age.
In India, the Little Angels School Kapurthala hosted a unique hybrid SDGs Fest in support of RiseUp4Peace. Students ideated on world peace and harmony through a vibrant mix of knowledge, art, culture, and creativity.
In support of RiseUp4Peace, students of DPS Faridabad performed ‘Nashe Se Naash Tak’, a compelling play. The play highlighted the harmful impact of substance use, urging students to make wise choices and seek help when needed.
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
