Bangkok (Thailand), 8 April 2025 - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance regional collaboration in tackling transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and other security threats across South and Southeast Asia.
BIMSTEC Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Indra Mani Pandey and Ms. Anubha Sood, UNODC Chief of the Regional Section for South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific and Regional Representative for South Asia ad interim signed the MoU on the margins of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand.
Through the MoU, both parties will hold regular meetings to identify priorities, conduct trainings to build the capacities of judicial and law enforcement officers, develop joint initiatives to counter drug and crime-related risks and promote regional cooperation in/among BIMSTEC countries.
Established in 1997, BIMSTEC comprises seven member states of South and Southeast Asia: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Security is one of the seven major sectors of BIMSTEC cooperation, with sub-sectors on counter terrorism, transnational organized crime and illicit drug trafficking, among others.
Coastal communities bordering the Bay of Bengal rely on its resources for food security and livelihood. However, it has also become a conduit for illicit activities such as drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, crimes in the fisheries sector, and marine pollution. The MoU will facilitate more coordinated and evidence-based responses on the rising challenges of illicit drug trade, human trafficking, cybercrime and financial crimes facing the region.
UNODC, with its global expertise in crime prevention and justice reforms, will work closely with BIMSTEC to develop joint initiatives that align with international best practices and legal frameworks. This also aligns with UNODC’s focus on strengthening partnerships under its Regional Programme for South Asia (2024-2028).
“The MoU represents more than a commitment to security and justice in the Bay of Bengal region. It means countries supporting each other in building stronger and more prosperous communities,” said Ms. Sood.
Through its offices in the region, UNODC has long been working with countries to address drugs and crime-related risks. As the custodian of key UN Conventions on drugs and crime, UNODC also supports countries in implementing their commitments in line with international standards.
