UNODC supports Montenegro and North Macedonia in the collection of electronic evidence in firearms investigations

22-24 March 2022, Podgorica, Montenegro; 29-31 March 2022, Skopje, North Macedonia: UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) initiated a series of training events in South Eastern Europe to support prosecutors, law enforcement and customs officials with investigative powers in collecting relevant and admissible electronic evidence to support firearms related investigations.

The trainings were based on UNODC’s Practical Guide on Collecting Electronic Evidence Across Borders, which has been translated and shared with the criminal justice practitioners from the region. They lasted three days, and included practical exercises, a case study and drafting requests to Internet Service Providers (ISP) for obtaining electronic evidence from social networks, communication applications, and electronic mail among other.

During the trainings in Montenegro and North Macedonia, officials from relevant law enforcement units and prosecutors’ offices acquired knowledge on characteristics of e-evidence, digital forensics, cybercrime, new trends and challenges in handling e-evidence.

The practical part of the training was focused on the use of UNODC’s Guide for Requesting E-evidence Across Borders. Experts have also applied the existed legal procedures in the exercises and received information about the contact points that can assist practitioners in requesting and producing the e-evidence needed for trial. The issues related to data protection laws, mutual legal assistance (MLA) procedures and admissibility of e-evidence were elaborated and considered through the prism of international human rights standards.

The experts were further familiarized with UNODC’s Model Forms for interaction with internet service providers, various communication apps and social networks. The usefulness of Model Forms – for the purpose of filing an emergency disclosure request, preservation request and MLA request – was highlighted, and practical advice for its successful and timely drafting has been provided.

The criminal justice practitioners have practiced their skills by using the UNODC GFP case study, involving sub-regional illicit firearms trafficking and its resolving through gathering of admissible e-evidence from social networks. They had an opportunity to utilize and effectively apply newly acquired knowledge on the subject matter. In the upcoming period, UNODC GFP will deliver e-evidence training in other Western Balkans jurisdictions and will continue to work on the topic, pursuant to the great interest of the criminal justice practitioners in the region.

This activity is implemented with the financial support provided by Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund and supported by the European Union.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.4 to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC held a training on risk indicators for the detection of firearms in Bosnia and Herzegovina

24-25 March 2022, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme organized a training on risk-indicators for the detection of firearms, their parts and components and ammunition in fast and postal parcels for officials from Hrvatska Posta Mostar, BH Posta, Srpske Poste and Customs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The training comprised theoretical modules and practical exercises and focused on the existing legal framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the international regulations related to security of postal traffic, and the standards for postal security. A detailed analysis of prohibited goods’ regulations and their classifications in the country was also provided. Additionally, the training included a module on the identification of firearms, their parts, components and ammunition, their marking and applicable laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

More specifically, the risk analysis module enhanced the participants’ knowledge on the identification of risks in postal services, evaluation of threats based on various sets of information such as seizures information analysis, and firearms price difference analysis while the module on development of risk indicators covered the process, the data required for their development, and cooperation with stakeholders. The training also included practical exercises on developing risk-profiles against sets of data. 

This activity is implemented with the financial support provided by Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund and supported by the European Union.

It contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.4 to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC further supports Strategic Trade and Export Control training in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro

14-18 March 2022, Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 21-25 March 2022, Podgorica, Montenegro: The UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) continued the  delivery of the Strategic Trade and Export Control Training (STECT) for frontline officers of the Port Control Unit (PCU) at the land border crossing Bijača in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU) at the Sarajevo International airport and the Port of Bar in Montenegro.

 STECT is an intense training that explores the risk of non-state actors exploiting the containerized supply chain, as is often seen with drugs and other illicit commodities, to traffic or deliver weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or their component parts, comprising chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) materials. As part of the integral CCP training cycle for PCUs participating in the programme, STECT contributes to exploring the relationship between effective profiling of containers and its implications for the economy, while building the capacity of PCUs to detect illicit trade within the containerized supply chain through the detailed examination of pre-arrival information.

The training in Konjic aimed to enhance the skills and expertise of PCU and ACCU officers on strategic and dual-use export control policy, issues and challenges. Additionally, discussions and practical exercises further deepened the knowledge of the participants on export controls and non-proliferation for the application of their knowledge and skills in their daily work.

The training in Bar constituted the second phase of the STEC course for the PCU officers and focused on the cohesive mechanism to prevent, combat and eradicate illicit manufacturing and trafficking of firearms, missile, chemical and biological weapons, their parts and components and ammunition (firearms). Furthermore, fraud patterns and risk indicators and behavior analysis techniques and observations were also explored.

This five-day trainings were delivered by a team of experienced UNODC trainers, carried out under the framework of the joint EU-UNODC action on promoting rule of law and good governance through targeted border control measures at ports and airports, funded by the European Union and conducted in cooperation with the Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe.

These activities contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC supports North Macedonia in the implementation of the Strategy for Financial Investigations and Confiscation of Assets

21 March, Skopje, North Macedonia: UNODC participated in the first official meeting of the National Commission for monitoring the implementation of the National Strategy for Financial Investigations and Confiscation of Assets.

The meeting was attended by more than 15 members of the National Commission from the relevant institutions of North Macedonia, with the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Good Governance Policies. 

The purpose of the meeting was to assess the current state of implementation of the National Strategy and to define the next steps and activities in the implementation of this strategic document. Тhe entire process requires strong involvement and mobilization from all competent institutions to ensure efficient implementation of the National Strategy and deliver measurable results in financial investigations and confiscations of proceeds of crime.

At the meeting, UNODC presented the draft Asset Recovery Roadmap aimed to strengthen the institutional capacities to conduct financial investigations and confiscation of assets while assessing the existing capabilities and identifying gaps in the processes and resources allocated for the successful implementation of the National Strategy.

UNODC will continue to provide support to the work of the National Commission with the objective to establish systematic monitoring and evaluation of the activities undertaken by the relevant authorities to achieve the targeted goals.

The asset recovery activities within the project “From Illicit Financial Flows to Asset Recovery” in South Eastern Europe are conducted in the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe and funded by the Government of the United Kingdom.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.4 to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC attends the Integrative Internal Security Governance (IISG) Support Group Meeting

19-20 March 2022, Vlora, Albania: UNODC attended the IISG Support Group meeting alongside international colleagues, including UK, Austria, Slovenia, Italian Guardia Di Finanza, German GIZ, Frontex and European Commission DG NEAR as well as and regional partners, to discuss items for presentation to the 6th IISG Board planned for early May.

This included the summary of the needs mapping report, the collecting / analyzing the information for the response mapping report, the collecting / insertion of data / analyzing the information for the IISG database, preparation of the annual report for the IISG Board and preparation of the annual work plan for 2022.

UNODC expressed support for the IISG mandate across all three pillars namely: Organised Crime, Border Security and Counter Terrorism stressing the importance of coordinated contribution to the process by both reginal partners and international community in order to best realise the advantages and benefits that the IISG database will ultimately present to all. The IISG support group members fully supported the work done from IISG and assured to be more active on the future IISG activities.

The meeting served as an excellent basis for the regional and international partners to meet and have a joint discussion on all items on the agenda.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC supports development of the next Strategy against Organized Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina

16-17 March 2022, Bjelasnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Upon the request of the country’s authorities, UNODC participated, as a key counterpart, in the second meeting of the Working Group for the Development of the new Strategy for the Fight against Organized Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through this meeting, UNODC kicked off the substantive country-level engagement with the Working Group, which gathers representatives of 14 relevant institutions.

This cooperation is a result of the productive dialogue between UNODC and  authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina initiated in the framework of the UNODC Global Programme for the Implementation of the Organized Crime Convention with the support of UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe, and follows the participation of representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Regional Multi-stakeholder Event on Strategies to Prevent and Combat Organized Crime, held in Skopje in December 2021. The event was the first step in the regional dissemination of the Organized Crime Strategy Toolkit for Developing High-Impact Strategies, the main vehicle for the delivery of technical assistance in this ambit.

During the Bjelasnica Working Group meeting, UNODC shared the key principles and approaches highlighted in the Toolkit, including the “4Ps” (Prevent, Protect, Pursue, Promote) framework, which was subsequently accepted by the members of the Working Group as the guiding structure for the new Strategy. The meeting also offered an opportunity to discuss the most pressing threats and challenges the country faces in preventing and combatting organized crime and the key recommended areas of action to address these, which will be reflected in the Strategy, together with the key outcomes that will stem from the Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In taking this cooperation forward, UNODC will provide expert inputs for the initial draft of the Strategy, with the Working Group members continuing to supply substantive content. UNODC is looking forward to continuing supporting the country’s effort towards the formulation of the new comprehensive Strategy that will enable a coordinated response to some of the most pressing threats Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently facing, and is committed to facilitate further expert discussion in similar format.

UNODC and OSCE organized a regional conference on Border Security Challenges in South Eastern Europe

15-17 March, Ohrid, North Macedonia: UNODC jointly with OSCE hosted a regional conference for Directors of Border Police and Customs agencies from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 as well as Greece.

The conference aimed to address current and future challenges as well as share best practices for border security and management. Accordingly, the event helped key border security and management agencies in the region to identify effective joint responses to emerging and existing transnational threats posed by criminal networks.

UNODC experts from the Human Trafficking Migrant Smuggling Section, the Global Programme on Money laundering and Countering Terrorist Financing as well as the UNODC-WCO-INTERPOL Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP) and UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) joined the conference and highlighted current UNODC engagement and commitment in the region in the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe.

In its statement, UNODC underscored that, across its mandate, the Office seeks to improve effectiveness and develop synergies between law enforcement actors at various levels and build bridges between various thematic areas as well as between the Western Balkans and other regions, improving the security situation in the Western Balkans and Europe as a whole, in line with the UNODC promoted Inter-Regional Drug Control Approach and its “Networking the Networks” initiative.

The cooperation between UNODC and OSCE is currently led by the Joint Action Plan 2020 – 2022 signed in July 2020, which reflects the contributions of both organizations to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and allows for a more streamlined cooperation in nine subject areas. It is a strategy-level document outlining the main issue areas where the two organizations can implement joint actions at country, regional and global level building on the comparative advantage of both offices.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC supports evidence-based prevention as a key tool to positive development of children and youth

15 March 2022, online: The Government of Slovenia with the support of Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Serbia, the Institute for Research and Development “Utrip”, and UNODC organised an online side event in the margins of the 65th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) aiming at shifting the paradigm in the prevention of negative health and social outcomes of drug use with a special focus on prevention in early stages of child's development.

During the event, panelists and other participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, France, Slovenia, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and UNODC discussed new perspectives on prevention that have emerged with substantial developments in prevention science and after the publication of UNODC-WHO “International Standards on Drug Use Prevention” Lessons learned and the most recent updates on programmes and actions aimed at reducing drug demand that have been implemented in collaboration with UNODC were shared by panelists.

Panelists agreed that it is crucial to implement programmes that help children and youth to build their cognitive, emotional, social and behavioural competency skills at all stages of their development, including infancy or even the pre-natal period. Effective evidence-based approaches in prevention, such as child and youth social and emotional learning and development, are helping to prevent drug use, improve education and support mental health.

Organizations and agencies working towards the well-being of children, youth and young adults have at their disposal tools for adequate primary prevention responses described in the International Standards on Drug Use Prevention jointly published by UNODC and WHO. Evidence-based prevention interventions may contribute to child’s and youth’s positive development and save health, social and crime costs in the future.

This activity contributes to SDG 3 particularly Target 3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

https://sdg-tracker.org/good-health 

UNODC supports evidence-based approaches in drug use prevention

15 March 2022, online: On the occasion of the 65th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), Lions Clubs International Foundations (LCIF) together with UNODC Prevention Treatment Rehabilitation Section (PTRS) organised a virtual side event “Feasibility and need of life and social skills programmes in the context of COVID19 and lessons learned through the pandemic.”

The UNODC-LCIF’s collaboration on implementing the social and emotional approach in the school curriculum has been already established across 9 countries in South Eastern Europe, Central America and West Africa. The joint activity is part of the UNODC’s ongoing global initiative promoting evidence-based prevention programmes in line with the UNODC/WHO international standards on drug use prevention focusing on low and middle-income countries.

The meeting presented field experiences and lessons learned from piloting Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence (LQSFA) programme in Croatia and Côte d'Ivoire with different experiences of implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the latest updates on efforts to early prevention in Slovenia. Special attention was paid to Croatia which managed to implement the programme and generate data from students benefiting from the package.

On this occasion, Margarita, a 14-year-old student from a school in Dubrovnik, Croatia who benefitted from the programme shared her experience saying that “LQSFA has definitely been a tremendous help (…) it helped me a lot in staying calm and dealing with stressful situations as part of our daily routine. It helped me a lot during the coronavirus outbreak when life changed so suddenly. I have found confidence and self-respect. I have learned how to stand up to others, to their prejudice and their standards. It’s still isn’t easy but it will never be, so I am glad that I have learned how to set my goals and adjust my own standards depending on the situation.”

The Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence (LQSFA) provides professional development training for teachers using social and emotional learning research-based strategies. The package is adapted to local conditions and engages parents, schools and communities, resulting in positive outcomes such as bullying reduction, increased student connectedness to school, conflict resolution prioritization over aggression, and, last but not least, lower rates of substance use and truancy. This is even more valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic when the challenges for prevention have increased unprecedentedly.

This activity contributes to SDG 3 particularly Target 3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

https://sdg-tracker.org/good-health 

UNODC meets with the Secretariat of the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative

15 March 2022, Vienna, Austria: In line with its existing partnership under the Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance (ACIF) Roadmap, UNODC carried out a meeting with the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat in order to discuss both the ongoing and planned activities. The ACIF Roadmap was developed in the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe in partnership with RAI and the six Western Balkans jurisdictions to identify the most salient common priorities in the respective areas. As a result, on 25 June 2021 in Ohrid, North Macedonia, at a high-level meeting organized by UNODC, Governments of the region formally adopted the Regional ACIF Roadmap.

During the meeting, UNODC and RAI exchanged views on the planned work under the three goals of the Roadmap, including the timelines for the implementation of the inception phase as well as the establishment of the ACIF Roadmap Secretariat. Specifically, UNODC and RAI informed about the preparatory work for carrying out the inception phase of the Roadmap and mapping of the anti-corruption priorities of the Western Balkan jurisdictions.

The future work on the ACIF Roadmap will continue to be funded by the UK Government.

UNODC and Bosnia and Herzegovina join efforts in promoting relevant UNODC anti-corruption knowledge products

11 March 2022, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Building on a study visit by the delegation of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of Fight Against Corruption (APIK) of Bosnia and Herzegovina to UNODC Headquarters in Vienna in November 2021, UNODC expressed readiness to further support the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in fighting corruption by providing a translation of the relevant UNODC knowledge products into the official languages of the country.  The knowledge products in question have been recognized as the most critical ones for the mandate of APIK in Bosnia and Herzegovina, namely:

As these UNODC produced guidelines are becoming accessible in official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Agency has further invested significant efforts in ensuring that their visibility and usage are at the highest level. Accordingly, the Practical Guide on Anti-Corruption Ethics for Businesses has been officially shared and distributed to all the chambers of commerce of the country, the relevant government institutions and business associations. In addition, APIK has formed a team of practitioners that will analyze and prepare recommendations for all relevant bodies in Bosnia and Herzegovina to act in accordance with the set UNODC guidelines. As of today, the practical guide has also been made available on the website of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

https://www.komorabih.ba/prakticni-vodic-program-poslovne-etike-i-postovanja-standarda-u-oblasti-borbe-protiv-korupcije-za-preduzeca/

UNODC will continue supporting the relevant authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in fighting corruption and other forms of economic crime through the Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap funded by the Government of UK.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.5 to substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC discusses enhanced border control in Albania

9-11 March 2022, Tirana, Albania: UNODC organized an exploratory mission to discuss the expansion of the UNODC-WCO-INTERPOL Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP) to the airports in Albania.

Since 2020, UNODC has been implementing the EU-UNODC joint action on enhanced border control in South Eastern Europe”, funded by the EU. Through this action, UNODC is working on the establishment of joint airport inter-agency groups composed of an AIRCOP Joint Airport Interdiction Task Force (JAITF) and a UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU) to cover cargo and passenger threats as well as providing continuous technical assistance to the existing Port Control Units (PCUs) established by CCP.

Following the Albanian Government’s expression of interest to participate in this initiative, UNODC organized a series of meetings with the national and international stakeholders in the country to discuss the expansion of AIRCOP activities to the airports in Albania and the necessary steps for such an expansion. The AIRCOP implementation would also play a significant role in creating potential synergies with the Passenger Information Unit (PIU), through enhancing the effectiveness of the operational response in the field and the creation of intelligence feeding into analysis and profiling processes assigned to the PIU itself.

Accordingly, UNODC met with the Directors of Criminal Police, Customs and Border Police at the Tirana International Airport as well as the EU Delegation, FRONTEX and UK embassy to brief the counterparts on UNODC plans and ensure synergy of efforts and avoid duplication.

During the mission, UNODC also visited the CCP Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU) at TIA, which will form part of the inter-agency group with the AIRCOP JAITF.

AIRCOP applies passenger controls to supporting airports in tackling multiple threats, including all types of illicit drugs, illicit goods (such as wildlife, counterfeit medicines, weapons and others), as well as terrorism and trafficking in persons among others.

The EU-UNODC joint action on enhanced border control is currently being implemented in South Eastern Europe by AIRCOP and CCP in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe with the funding from the European Union.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC delivered a joint AIRCOP-CCP Refresher Practical Training/Mentoring for the inter-agency unit at Skopje Airport

7-11 March 2022, Skopje, North Macedonia: The UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) and UNODC-WCO-INTERPOL Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP) organized a refresher practical training/mentoring for customs and police officers of the joint inter-agency group at the Skopje International Airport.

The five-day refresher training/mentoring was facilitated by the experienced trainers/experts from AIRCOP and CCP and delivered following a request from the members of the future Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU) Skopje for more practical and hands-on training in the Air Cargo and in Air Passenger enforcement work for both customs and police officers within the inter-agency group.

Accordingly, the training focused on practical work in both Passenger and Air Freight where the participants undertook selection and examination of both inbound Air Freight and Fast Parcels consignments following scrutiny of the relevant airline documentation. In the process, the participants enhanced their practical knowledge of the modus operandi used by the traffickers in passenger traffic through an in-site inspection of an aircraft.

As a part of the training, the customs and police officers jointly worked on a real consignment case to explore and research details related to importation, showing a great example of teamwork and collaborative data research.

The training was delivered within the EU-UNODC joint action on enhanced border control, currently implemented in South Eastern Europe by AIRCOP and CCP in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe with the funding from the European Union.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC and North Macedonia discuss cooperation in countering corruption in sport

9 March 2022, Skopje, North Macedonia: Following the presentation of the Guide "Reporting mechanisms in sport" to support the national sport federations and broader range of stakeholders in developing reporting mechanisms to support the integrity of and to fight corruption in sport, UNODC met with the Deputy Prime Minister for Good Governance of North Macedonia to update the Deputy Prime Minister on continuing and planned UNODC activity in North Macedonia, particularly in the fields of anti-corruption through the Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap, asset recovery, countering trafficking in persons and the financing of terrorism and took this opportunity to thank the Government for the support to the UNODC Regional Programme for South East Europe.

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and UNODC explored the possibility to develop action plans for Sporting Federations of North Macedonia regarding improved reporting mechanisms in their respective federations. The action plans would provide a guide on activity to eradicate corrupt practice in the game and facilitate a monitoring and evaluation tool for central government.

In addition, the counterparts discussed cooperation in jointly addressing the topics of organised crime and corruption with high school students to ascertain the perceptions of youth on these topics and see how a coordinated response could serve as a means to address any of their concerns and plant a seed of integrity and ethics for future generations.

The anti-corruption activities within the Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap in South Eastern Europe are funded by the Government of the UK, as well as the Government of Romania for activities targeting corruption in sport in North Macedonia.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.5 to substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC continues dialogue on Asset Recovery Roadmap for Kosovo*

8 March 2022, Pristina, Kosovo*: UNODC hosted a follow-up working meeting with the relevant authorities to finalize the development of a roadmap of programmatic interventions in relation to enhancing the asset recovery capabilities in Kosovo*. The meeting hosted representatives of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, Coordinator for Economic Crime Enforcement, Kosovo Police, Ministry of Justice and Kosovo Asset Management Agency (AMSCA).

The discussion focused on the government priorities in this area, specialized training and capacity building needs, information management, challenges and opportunities of the legislative framework and the potential need for a further establishment of a Confiscation Fund and an Asset Recovery Office.

Accordingly, UNODC briefed the counterparts on the aims and goals of the project “From Illicit Financial Flows to Asset Recovery”, focusing on the development of a roadmap – a plan of activities for Kosovo* which would define actions on how to tackle and overcome the identified existing challenges towards an effective implementation of the asset recovery process in this jurisdiction. Further donor coordination and risk assessments were also a part of the joint discussion.

This meeting was conducted as part of  UNODC work on the regional project “From Illicit Financial Flows to Asset recovery”, supported by the UK Government and implemented within the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.4 to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

* All references to Kosovo shall be understood in the context of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999)

UNODC coordinates upcoming activities on countering trafficking in persons with mentor countries' focal points 

8 March 2022, online:  UNODC held a meeting with the designated focal points of Belgium and France as mentor countries, to discuss future cooperation within the regional project UN.Locking Impunity of Southeastern Europe (SEE) (2021-2024) aimed to foster victim-centered and trauma-informed investigations and prosecutions of trafficking in persons (TIP) in SEE.

As part of this project, UNODC selected Belgium and France as mentor countries in view of their significant expertise in fighting TIP and previous long-standing and fruitful cooperation with these countries in anti-TIP activities.

In partnership with the Belgian and French specialized anti-TIP judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and magistrate liaisons based in SEE, UNODC will seek to identify, with precision, the gaps and weaknesses in the TIP response in the addressed jurisdictions (Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia). Through their mentoring efforts, the Belgian and French practitioners will also transmit their experience and good practices in successfully engaging in international cooperation to dismantle organized criminal groups that commit cross-border TIP, acquired through regular joint investigations or coordinating bodies. In such manner, the approach of the project will be aligned with the objectives of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its Trafficking in Persons Protocol, in particular with regards to the prosecution of offenders and the protection of victims, but also promoting international cooperation against TIP.

During the meeting, UNODC provided an overview of the current state of play and plans for the upcoming activities in all five beneficiary jurisdictions. The regional component of the project was particularly discussed, where the focal points presented the Belgian and French views on the preliminary steps forward in further implementation.

Accordingly, the mentor countries confirmed their interest to participate and provide substantive support in the upcoming  national expert discussions with participants representing the relevant stakeholders (both from Government and civil society), which will serve as a platform to review the findings of the national reviews and analyses of TIP cases (to be developed by the engaged experts, under the substantive guidance of UNODC), as well as to adopt conclusions and develop recommendations for proactive solutions to remedy gaps and challenges.

The project is implemented by the UNODC Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (HTMSS) in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe and with the financial support of the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.2 to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC presents the EU-UNODC action on enhanced border control as best practices

2-4 March 2022, Turkey / online: UNODC took part in a regional conference on the Customs Detection Architecture for Airports (Passenger and Cargo) organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The conference aimed to discuss a variety of topics on addressing threats targeting airports and strengthening airport security. The participants discussed customs control technical devices, legislation and standards; the passenger and cargo control architecture as well as recommendations and best practices of customs detection equipment and architecture at airports.

The UNODC representatives who attended the conference presented the EU-UNODC action on enhanced border control implemented in South Eastern Europe aimed to establish inter-agency groups at airports to address threats related to passenger and cargo and described the benefits of law enforcement cooperation in ensuring the full coverage of potential threats at the airports for a strengthened border security.

The conference continued with a presentation of practices in the airports of Zagreb and London followed by a general discussion on increasing the airport security through an enhanced cooperation among airport stakeholders.

The EU-UNODC joint action on enhanced border control currently being implemented in South Eastern Europe by AIRCOP and CCP in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe with the funding from the European Union.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC supports South Eastern Europe in financial investigations and asset recovery for trafficking in persons

2-3 March 2022, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: UNODC in collaboration with the National Coordinator for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration of Bosnia and Herzegovina and with support and funding from the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in France organized a regional expert group meeting (REGM) on financial investigations and asset recovery for trafficking in persons, including compensation on victims in South Eastern Europe.

The purpose of the REGM was to advance the discussion on trends and patterns of human trafficking in South Eastern Europe and to identify and analyze challenges related to financial investigations, asset recovery, including for compensation of victims, in human trafficking cases, particularly with a cross-border element.

Additionally, the event served as a platform to discuss the international obligations, conceptual approaches and policy responses to human trafficking and to exchange on good practices and challenges to address it.

Over 50 of criminal justice practitioners from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 took part in the meeting along with representatives from regional and international organizations, CSOs, private sector and academia.

Accordingly, the role and perspectives of financial investigations, illicit financial flows and asset recovery in cross-border combating of human trafficking and organized crime were presented and illustrated with examples of good practices and challenges in these areas. The participating international organizations and CSOs shared their perspectives on these topics.

As a result of the meeting, a set of concrete actions was provided for future engagement at the regional/sub-regional or bilateral level, including with international organizations, to tackle the issue of human trafficking.

Trainers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia learn new techniques on investigating terrorist financing

February-March 2022, Vienna, Austria: UNODC jointly with OSCE organized two the train-the-trainer basic and enhanced investigation courses on countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) as part of the multi-annual training programme focused on strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s and North Macedonia’s capacity in this field. The course was the third in the series of courses for both countries as part of sustained efforts by UNODC and OSCE to build the training capability of the countries to better counter the financing of terrorism.

A total of 16 seasoned trainers representing the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the State Investigation and Protection Agency as well as institutions at the entity level along with representatives from North Macedonia’s Ministries of Defense, Finance, Interior and, Justice, the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecuting Organized Crime and Corruption, Customs, and the Intelligence Agency  took part in the training course and enhanced their knowledge on the legislative aspects of financial crime and their respective mandates, powers, and authorities to investigate financial crimes. The participants also learned how to plan and conduct an anti-money laundering (AML)/CFT investigation based on current good practices and methodologies. 

Additionally, the coursework focused on the importance of inter-agency coordination, as well as regional and international cooperation when investigating AML/CFT cases. The trainers learned methods and practical skills which they take back into their workplaces to employ and share in their next courses scheduled to take place in their respective jurisdictions later this year.

This work is conducted in the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe in cooperation with the UNODC Global Programme Against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime, and the Financing of Terrorism (GPML) and funded by the Government of the United States.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.4 to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

Container Control Programme supports Port Control Unit in Bar, Montenegro

28 February-2 March 2022, Bar, Montenegro: The UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) conducted a mentoring visit to the Port Control Unit (PCU) at the Port of Bar, Montenegro, to support  the PCU officers in further enhancing their personal and organizational capacities to face the challenges  occurring in the containerized trade supply chain. 

The mentoring visit was conducted in-person by experienced WCO technical expert and focused on aspects of detailed physical inspections and rip-off controls. Among the standard reflections of the mentoring visit, a report with proposed measures on improvement of effectiveness of the PCU will serve as a basis for future resources allocation and activities planning and implementation.

The mentoring visit was implemented within the framework of the joint EU-UNODC action on promoting rule of law and good governance through targeted border control measures at ports and airports, funded by the European Union and implemented in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe.