A new UN blueprint to fortify justice and security in South Asia

In a packed conference room at the UN House, diplomats and officials gathered to launch a significant program aimed at addressing the pressing issues facing South Asia. 

Over 1.6 billion live across South Asia, with youth making up two-fifths of the population. 

The region is grappling with an array of daunting challenges: drugs, organized crime, corruption, terrorism, and the intensifying climate crisis, all posing serious threats to security, health, and sustainable development.

In response, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has launched a new five-year regional program to try to address these interconnected dangers. The initiative aims to strengthen justice systems, the rule of law, health services, peace, and regional cooperation across South Asia from 2024 to 2028.

At its launch event in New Delhi, UN and senior government officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka underscored the urgent need for unified regional action against shared perils like the drug problem, organized crime, corruption, terrorism, and challenges in criminal justice. The program outlines priorities like enhancing border security, disrupting illicit financial flows, building law enforcement capacities, improving criminal justice, and providing services for drug abuse treatment and prevention of violent extremism.

At the launch, Mr. Bo Mathiasen, UNODC Deputy Director of Operations, Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, Mr. Sanjay Malhotra, Secretary, Department of Revenue, Government of India, and Mr. Dina Mani Pokharel, Attorney General of Nepal, called for collective efforts against emerging challenges. 

UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia Marco Teixeira and Deputy Representative Suruchi Pant presented key areas envisaged under the new plan, outlining important areas of cooperation and the way forward. South Asian government representatives reiterated their support for UNODC’s efforts, highlighting the importance of unified action in addressing shared challenges.

The program has been designed through extensive discussions with key partners across South Asia. It will act as a guiding framework to strengthen the rule of law, increase cooperation between countries, and protect vulnerable groups from the dangers of drugs, organized crime, corruption, and terrorism. 

The program aligns with UNODC's overall 2021-2025 corporate strategy and the wider UN system's approach to promoting sustainable development across the region. It connects to other regional and global programs such as the UNODC Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (2022-2026).

Read the UNODC Regional Programme for South Asia (2024-2028): https://www.unodc.org/documents/southasia//publications/UNODC_Regional_Programme_for_South_Asia_2024-2028.pdf