Mr. Kristian Hölge, a national of Denmark, assumed charge as the new Regional Representative of the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia, covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Mr. Hölge joined UNODC in the year 2000 and since then has worked at various international positions of increasing responsibility. Before this post, he served as UNODC’s Representative in Mexico from 2020 to 2025. Prior to that he served as the Representative in Lima, with responsibility for Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay (2016-2020). From 2012 to 2016 he worked in the Regional Section for Latin America and the Caribbean in Vienna. Having pioneered UNODC’s Legal Assistance Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean from 2000 to 2012, Mr. Hölge combines real technical expertise with hands-on management experience.
Mr. Hölge holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) with specialized studies from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain). He has taught law at the Universidad de La Sabana (Colombia) and regularly publishes articles on UNODC’s mandate areas, such as drugs, corruption, human trafficking, money-laundering, asset forfeiture, corporate social responsibility and the 2030 Agenda.
He is married to a social entrepreneur with whom he has a daughter.
UNODC launched a two-week capacity-building initiative in Himmafushi to strengthen trauma-informed care and rehabilitation services. The training equipped 18 participants including practitioners, first responders, and community leaders with essential knowledge and tools to deliver trauma-informed care rooted in compassion, scientific understanding and local context. The sessions focused on practical approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, resilience-building techniques, and stabilization methods designed to address complex trauma.
Austria: UNODC Regional Teams Brief Member States on Priorities Across Asia and the Pacific
In Vienna, UNODC regional teams for South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific held the annual briefing to Member States. UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia, Mr. Kristian Hölge outlined regional priorities and shared updates on UNODC’s support to governments in addressing drugs, crime and terrorism.
Through a specialized UNODC training under the Passenger and Cargo Control Programme, 14 officers from Bangladesh Customs and the Department of Explosives enhanced their ability to detect, assess, and prevent illicit movement of strategic and dual-use goods. The initiative aimed to strengthen inter-agency coordination, operational readiness, and national resilience against transnational threats.
14 Nepal Customs officers received knowledge and skills in risk assessment, profiling, and intelligence-led inspections across key airports through a specialized UNODC-WCO training. Through an engaging mix of theory and hands-on exercises, participants strengthened their understanding of intelligence-driven inspections, targeting methods, and operational coordination. The initiative fostered a shared understanding of risk indicators, concealment trends, and profiling criteria among officers.
Our activities in South Asia are possible
due to the generous support of:
Australia
Canada
European Union
Germany
India
Japan
Joint UN Program Fund
Norway
Sweden
Portugal
United Kingdom
United States of America
UBRAF/UNAIDS
Government Partners:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Sri Lanka
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) assists Member States in their efforts to combat illicit drugs and international crime. Over the past two decades, the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia(ROSA) has been working with governments and civil society in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, providing specialized assistance to address challenges pertaining to drugs, organised crime, security, justice and health. The commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, human rights and the rule of law is at the core of our mandate.
Contact Us
C-97 (Ground Floor), Defence Colony, New Delhi-110024, India
Email: samarth.pathak@un.org
