Promoting partnerships between law enforcement agencies, governments and private sector to combat illicit drugs in focus at OSCE conference

VIENNA, 27 October 2014 – Representatives of law enforcement agencies, government authorities and the private sector, such as the chemical industry or the transportation industry, working to control precursors and synthetic drugs are meeting in Vienna today to explore how to enhance collaboration between law enforcement and non-law enforcement actors to combat the threat of illicit drugs effectively.    

In the framework of Public-Private-Partnerships, representatives from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation will discuss lessons learned, good practices and recommendations over the one-and-a-half day conference.

 “Drug trafficking and drug-related crimes remain among the most threatening transnational criminal activities. Combined with illicit drug consumption, these issues affect not only the lives of millions of individuals and families but also challenge  regional security and stability,” said Pierre von Arx, Diplomatic Counsellor and Deputy Head of Delegation for Security Policy Issues, opening the meeting on behalf of Switzerland’s 2014 OSCE Chairmanship.  

“It is hoped that this event will contribute to the identification of good practices that the OSCE participating States, along with international partners and public and private actors, can apply to enhance their capacities in strengthening bilateral and multilateral co-operation to counter the serious threats stemming from illicit drugs production and trafficking, and to address challenges regarding its consumption,” he added.

Alexey Lyzhenkov, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats, said: “To prevent the diversion of chemical precursors to illicit channels there is a need for rapid exchange of information between licensing authorities and chemical industry, as well as law enforcement and customs officials.”

Lyzhenkov said that the conference would focus on the practical implications of co-operation and engagement with non-law enforcement actors in close co-operation with the OSCE and UN as well as other relevant international and regional organizations, institutions and mechanisms.

The OSCE-wide drugs conference is organized jointly by Switzerland’s 2014 OSCE Chairmanship and the Transnational Threats Department of the OSCE Secretariat.

The conference aims at providing an overview of the existing models, benefits and obstacles of co-operation with actors outside the law enforcement sector in drug control, as well as at formulating recommendations and finding new solutions when it comes to establishing partnerships to prevent illicit drug trafficking and the diversion of chemical precursors.