UN anti-crime office joins with Asian Development Bank to fight illicit drug trade

Expanding their existing cooperation, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have agreed to join forces in fighting illicit drugs, money-laundering and corruption.

Education on drug abuse, illicit crop monitoring and border controls are among the areas covered by a new accord signed in Manila by UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa and ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda on 27 February.

The two entities could cooperate on alternative development projects in Afghanistan and Laos designed to give former opium farmers new sources of income, according to the Vienna-based UNODC. They can also pursue regional border management projects in Central Asia and efforts to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among drug-users and prisoners there.

“Together, our two organizations can help the countries of Asia develop the sound policies and programmes necessary to ensure sustainable development and combat crime,” Mr. Costa said. “Strengthening the rule of law and good governance will be critical.”

UNODC and ADB already work together on alternative development in Laos and in anti-money-laundering activities in Viet Nam.