History and Achievements
1999-2004: Beginning of UNODC Cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the Islamic Republic of Iran established a country office in Tehran in July 1999, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the UNODC. During a period of six years (1999-2004) UNODC technical assistance on drugs and crime to the Islamic Republic of Iran was delivered in the framework of the NOROUZ (Narcotics Reduction Unitized Programme) programme.
''NOROUZ'' Programme
UNODC chose the Persian word ''NOROUZ'', meaning "New Year", to symbolise the opening of a new era in the national drug control effort and in the participation of the international community to its realisation.
The main objective of the ''NOROUZ'' programme was to work with the government counterparts in a participatory manner in order to minimize the impact of the drug problem in the country. Through the implementation of multi disciplinary actions embracing supply reduction, demand reduction, legal assistance, and advocacy, the Programme has been successful in enhancing national anti-drug trafficking capacities, reducing the impact of drug abuse, improving legislative capacities, disseminating information, and mobilising and empowering civil society in the fight against drugs and crime.
2005-2010: UNODC Cooperation on Drugs and Crime in the Islamic Republic of Iran
In 2005, UNODC Country Office in the Islamic Republic of Iran and its national and international partners launched a new programme of cooperation on drugs and crime. This was made up of the following three components and related objectives: i) Drug Supply Reduction - to assist the Iranian Government in reducing the trafficking of narcotics into, within and outside the country; ii) Drug Demand Reduction - to contribute to the development of effective prevention, treatment and rehabilitation measures in drug abuse and HIV/AIDS; iii) Rule of Law - to promote the rule of law through strengthened crime prevention measures and the provision of legal assistance. The three programme components were assessed by external evaluators in 2010. UNODC 2005-2010 programme received funds from the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, the European Commission, Belgium, Sweden, France, Japan, Ireland, Norway and Switzerland.
Drug Supply Reduction : Key Results Attained
During 2005-2010, UNODC has supplied Iranian police officers with drug and precursor control kits, drug-detecting dogs and specially designed vehicles for dog transport. Intensive specialised training sessions have also been provided. To assist the government in improving airport control, UNODC has procured and installed body-scanning equipment in several airports of the Islamic Republic. To strengthen intelligence-led investigation capacities, UNODC began to provide technical and secretarial support to the Joint Planning Cell initiative, which was established in Tehran under the framework of the Triangular Initiative - a UNODC brokered strategic regional response to the global security challenge of the Afghan opium. [Read More...]
Drug Addiction Treatment and HIV Control : Key Results Attained
During 2005-2010, UNODC has been successful in achieving the expected goals of qualitative and quantitative improvements of nationwide prevention activities, advocacy for drug demand reduction, NGO empowerment, as well as national and regional networking. A wide network of essential partnerships was built and effective activities have been carried out. [Read More...]
Rule of Law : Key Results Attained
The independent evaluations of UNODC crime prevention and criminal justice activities carried out in 2005-2010 highlight both the relevance and the positive impact of UNODC project activities. Technical cooperation brought about important results in legislation, institution and capacity-building. [Read More...]
2011-2015: UNODC Technical Cooperation Programme for Iran
The UNODC Technical Cooperation Programme for Iran (2011-2015) was designed in line with the strategic framework for UNODC's work in the country. The CP was developed to support specific national priorities and plans, taking into consideration: lessons learned and good practices of previous project activities; UNODC's global strategy; regional initiatives on drugs and crime; the volume of international financial support provided to previous UNODC programmes in the country; and the preliminary interest expressed by potential funding partners in future cooperation. The Country Programme 2011-2015 had three segments:
(a) Sub-programme 1 - Illicit Trafficking and Border Management.
(b) Sub-programme 2 - Drug Demand Reduction and HIV Control.
(c) Sub-programme 3 - Crime, Justice and Corruption.
Country Partnership Programme 2015-2022
The Country Partnership Programme (CPP) document outlined the strategic scope of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC Iran) work, cooperation and partnership in the Islamic Republic of Iran from 2015 to 2019, extended until the end of 2022. It was designed and developed in a participatory way with national counterparts, taking into consideration: the previous UNODC country programmes relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and impacts; and international community support and funding prospects based on the principles of common and shared responsibility. The document is further based on the situation analysis and resolutions adopted by the Economic and Social Council; and the recommendations of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice which outlines the strategy of the UNODC work for the period 2012–2015 as well as the proposed strategic framework 2016-2017. The CPP consisted of 4 sub-programmes:
Sub-programme 1: Border Management and Illicit Trafficking (link to photos of activities for SP1)
Sub-programme 2: Crime, Corruption, and Criminal Justice (link to photos of activities for SP2)
Sub-programme 3: Drug Use Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation and HIV Care (link to photos of activities for SP3)
Sub-programme 4: Alternative Livelihoods and Sustainable Development (link to photos of activities for SP4)
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