A strategic initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs and UNODC reinforced Bangladesh’s international legal cooperation capacities, through the formation of a dedicated national pool of Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) experts. 25 senior officials from across criminal justice, law enforcement, foreign affairs and financial intelligence sectors were provided knowledge, tools and skills on financial investigations and prosecutions related to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM). This effort, supported by the European Union, was part of a broader project on Preventing and Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants in South Asia.
UNODC and the Maldives’ Financial Intelligence Unit delivered a specialized training on Using UNSCR 1267 & 1373 to Disrupt ISIL/AQ, Terrorism and Terrorism Financing in the Republic of Maldives, bringing together 24 participants from 12 key institutions, as well as UN officials and experts. Participants explored key areas such as UNSC sanctions and asset freeze, identification and nomination processes under UNSCR 1373, communication mechanisms, post-implementation monitoring and supervision, human rights safeguards and international cooperation. The training emphasized alignment with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) standards.
A high-level workshop convened by UNODC in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General in Nepal emphasized the need for a rights-based approach to rehabilitation and reintegration of people who use drugs. Opened by the Honourable Deputy Attorney General of Nepal, Mr. Gopal Prasad Rijal, the workshop brought together 55 prosecutors, police officials, policy experts and civil society representatives to explore the intersecting challenges faced by people—particularly women—who use drugs. The workshop served as a platform to promote greater sensitivity in how drug users are perceived and treated within the justice and health systems.
The Government of Sri Lanka, supported by UNODC, hosted the first national workshop in Negombo to develop a comprehensive strategy against organized crime. With 24 key stakeholders from ministries, law enforcement, civil society, and academia, the discussions marked a milestone in shaping Sri Lanka’s response, rooted in cooperation, shared vision, and long-term strategic planning. UNODC introduced the Toolkit for Developing High-Impact Strategies to Address Organized Crime, structured around four pillars—Prevent, Pursue, Protect, and Promote Partnerships.
40 law enforcement officials from the District Counterterrorism Units, Range Police, Metropolitan Police, and the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chattogram, and Sylhet Divisions were equipped with knowledge, skills and tools to integrate trust-building into counterterrorism efforts. The trainings were part of an ongoing partnership between the Bangladesh Police and the UNODC, designed to enhance police capacities in addressing terrorism and violent extremism.
India: Bridging health and justice at the World Health Summit 2025
At the World Health Summit Regional Meeting in New Delhi, UNODC's criminal justice expert Seema Joshi Arya joined an expert panel on “The Future of Drug Policy” to discuss scalable, health and rights-based approaches over punitive models. Convened by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, the discussion focused on advancing effective harm reduction services and addressing structural barriers. Sharing good practices and regional insights, UNODC underscored how targeted support—through tools, training, and diplomacy—drives people-centered development.
India: Partner schools expand on RiseUp4Peace to advance SDG16 education, responsible AI use
Building on the RiseUp4Peace initiative, partner schools across India are actively pioneering efforts to help students confront critical challenges while promoting SDG16 action through education. In Kolkata, educational leaders came together to discuss emerging vulnerabilities in young minds, and brainstorm classroom projects and inter-school collaborations to foster empathy and integrity. In Punjab, the Kamla Nehru Public School Phagwara hosted a school-wide Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fest, where over 1,000 students examined the impact of artificial intelligence on the SDGs. Through research surveys, creative arts and interactive presentations, students showcased their understanding of global challenges and emphasized the responsible use of technology for social good.
Join the UNODC Network in South Asia
Our Partners
Our activities in South Asia are possible
due to the generous support of:
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
Call for Partnerships:
Impacting Lives with Innovation
Advancing Crime Prevention, Justice and Health in South AsiaUNODC Regional Office for South Asia has developed a wide range of projects and initiatives on the following thematic areas:
-Building law enforcement capacities against drugs and organised crime
-Addressing drug use and HIV/AIDS -Enhancing multi-stakeholder responses to counter Trafficking in Persons -Engaging young people and educators on crime prevention, integrity, Global Goals and peace with educational interventions
-Promoting family skills to reduce risky behaviours among young people -Countering corruption -Addressing Gender-based Violence
-Strengthening responses to prevent and counter wildlife crime
-Countering cybercrime and promoting online safety
We seek activesupport to enable the implementation of these programs and to scale-up efforts to promote security, justice and health among vulnerable groups in South Asia. Our partnerships aim at building national and regional alliances on our mandates, which are closely linked to national, regional and global priorities as well as the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Let's join hands to enable and aid large-scale and impactful initiatives that help people lead safer and healthier lives . Your support can make all the difference!
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
