OSCE and UN Office on Drugs and Crime sign 2020-2022 joint action plan

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger and the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Ghada Fathi Waly signed a plan of joint action for the period 2020-2022 today at UNODC in Vienna.

The OSCE-UNODC Joint Action Plan 2020-2022 reflects the two organizations’ contributions to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and allows for more streamlined co-operation in nine subject areas.

These areas include combating transnational organized crime and corruption, preventing and countering violent extremism leading to terrorism, combating trafficking in human beings, illicit drugs and cybercrime, security sector governance and reform, and border security and management. The action plan also envisages joint and concrete actions in newly identified strategic areas, such as advancing gender equality, crime prevention and youth engagement.

The signing of the Joint Action Plan was proceeded by a meeting, where representatives of the UNODC and OSCE discussed and highlighted the distinct benefits and added value of closer co-operation between the two organizations.

Official collaboration between the OSCE and UNODC on the basis of joint action plans was first established in 2011, and the current plan is the fifth of its kind.

Within the framework of each organization’s mandate, the plans allow for greater co-ordination and the implementation of joint programmes and activities. This includes co-ordination and co-operation through the exchange of best practices, the organization of joint workshops, joint technical assistance and sharing resources.