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UN teams with Southeast Asian States to fight drugs and crime

UN teams with Southeast Asian States to fight drugs and crime

The United Nations has joined forces with a coalition of Southeast Asian nations to map out a comprehensive strategy to combat drugs and crime in the region.

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.