UNODC Events

In addition to the various cross-cutting events that the UNODC recognizes and celebrates, the Office is the lead United Nations Agency for two key days: the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26 June), and the International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December).

In addition, UNODC holds regular events in the region related to the Office mandate. As and when details are available, they will be posted here.

UNODC Days

26 June | International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

June 26 marks the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The slogan of the global UNODC anti-drugs campaign for the period 2007 - 2009 is "Do drugs control your life? Within this multiyear campaign, 2008 is focussing on the issue of drug cultivation and production, while 2009 will look at illicit drug trafficking. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the major problems that illicit drugs represent to society, with the end goal being to inspire people and mobilise support for drug control.

In his 2008 message, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon notes that much improvement has been made in tackling the world drug problem since 1998 when Member States of the United Nations convened a Special Session of the General Assembly to push for the reduction of both the supply and demand for drugs. The Secretary General also noted that while the issue of drugs continues to destroy lives, generate crime and threaten sustainable development, United Nations efforts have built a better understanding of how to confront drug abuse and trafficking. Notably, progress has been made towards improving policy approaches, and linking international cooperation and technical assistance to assist in law enforcement capabilities. Furthermore, a stronger focus on prevention and treatment is putting health at the centre of drug-control strategies and helping to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Understanding the need for increased cooperation to counter the world's drug problem, the Secretary General calls for the combined efforts of the past decade to continue so as to prevent and reduce the damage of drugs, and build a healthier and safer world.

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9 December| International Anti-Corruption Day

Attitudes on corruption are changing. As recently as ten years ago, corruption was only whispered about. Today there are signs of growing intolerance toward corruption and more and more politicians and chief executives are being tried and convicted.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption - which entered into force in December 2005 - is both a cause and an effect of this trend. Its provisions are the most comprehensive, universal and even-handed measures for tackling this global challenge. The Convention subjects all the State Parties to the same scrutiny and sets clear rules to be applied equally to all.

The aim of UNODC's 2007-2008 anti-corruption communication campaign is to support this positive and pro-active stance against corruption. The United Nations Convention against Corruption will be promoted as the key tool to fight corruption worldwide and as the impetus for a global and forceful movement.

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