UN teams with Southeast Asian States to fight drugs and crime
In Vienna today, Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) signed an agreement with the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Ong Keng Yong, in which their two organizations agreed to work together to fight drug trafficking and transnational crime in Southeast Asia.
The agreement aims to enhance the cooperation that already exists in the drug control field between ASEAN and UNDOC, in support of anti-drug initiatives throughout the region.
The UN said it hopes this new initiative will further deepen the partnership by developing a more comprehensive approach - including exchange of expertise on the interrelated issues of drug control and crime prevention. Aiming to enhance complementary action, the agreement will also promote cooperation and informational exchange relating to specific projects, programmes or activities.