80 senior and mid-ranking officials from Bangladesh Police engaged in focused discussions to refine the national community policing strategy and develop a communications framework. Building on a UNODC-led needs assessment, they identified gaps, proposed action points, and strengthened coordination mechanisms to integrate grassroots policing with counterterrorism efforts.
In India’s Manipur, 50 families participated in UNODC’s UN-ited Family Skills Programme, fostering open communication, empathy, and trust between parents and adolescents. Through storytelling, role-play, and reflection, families engaged in open dialogues, learnt to support one another, and build socio-emotional resilience against substance use and harmful behaviours.
The Ministry of Education convened national partners and UNODC to brainstorm school-based prevention efforts and address the interlinked vulnerabilities facing youth—including tobacco, drugs, and mental health. The workshop emphasized holistic, education-driven strategies informed by global good practices and insights. Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, launched a nationwide school challenge under the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) framework. Extending support to these efforts, UNODC presented global and national educational tools and prevention responses, including the RiseUp4Peace initiative, the Family Skills programme and the Listen First campaign.
Under the GLO.ACT framework, UNODC and IOM hosted a consultation with 50 civil society stakeholders in Nepal to build consensus on victim-centered reforms to the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act. The proposed amendments align with the Palermo Protocol, expand legal definitions, and enhance survivor protection, rescue, and compensation mechanisms.
Nepal: Boosting drug law enforcement capacities with testing kits
With support of the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, the US Embassy in Nepal and UNODC handed over drug testing kits to officials of the Narcotics Control Bureau in Nepal. The kits will help law enforcement personnel on the frontlines in conducting on-site testing of narcotics and precursors, swiftly identifying harmful substances and enhancing real-time responses.
(Supported by the
US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement)
Nepal: Promoting inclusive pathways to rehabilitation for people who use drugs
In Nepal, a high-level consultation organised by UNODC in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General advocated a rights-based approach to rehabilitation and reintegration of people who use drugs. The consultation brought together women who use drugs and key national stakeholders to advance rights-based rehab services--tackling stigma, violence and discrimination. The initiative was part of UBRAF efforts to strengthen global AIDS strategy, leaving no one behind.
Regional Snippets
India: Building on RiseUp4Peace, schools lead efforts to strengthen SDG16 education
Joining hands with UNODC's RiseUp4Peace, schools are stepping up to empower young learners across India. In Delhi, Mount Abu Public School’s 'Operation Peace' united 500+ students and teachers from 45+ schools to champion lawfulness and drug use prevention. Through the Model UN framework and moot court, the Kothari International School Noida engaged 400+ students from 35 schools to advocate solutions for critical global challenges.
Maldives: Empowering community leaders to prevent violent extremism
In the Maldives, UNODC and the National Counter Terrorism Centre empowered 33 community leaders through a series of workshops in Thulusdhoo and Fuvahmulah to strengthen the Maldives’ National Action Plan on preventing and countering violent extremism. Through these capacity-building sessions, participants gained critical skills to implement community-led prevention strategies and promote local resilience at the grassroots.
Nepal: Shaping data-driven responses against human trafficking
In Nepal, UNODC and the National Human Rights Commission brought together more than 50 officials to shape the National Trafficking in Persons Report with data-driven insights and rights-based solutions. The workshop strengthened national ownership and inter-agency coordination.
Nepal: Engaging youth in peacebuilding dialogues
Over 150 students in Nepal were engaged with meaningful conversations around youth-led peacebuilding. Through dialogues and reflection, students shared the everyday challenges they face—including mental health struggles, bullying, and peer pressure—and how change begins with small actions.
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
