Chief of the Sustainable Livelihood Units

Support for South-South cooperation. UNODC places strong confidence in farming communities. Alternative development is by nature an activity undertaken in difficult situations. Stakeholders are marginalized, poor, and void of broad development support. UNODC is committed to working in Afghanistan. Alternative development must be a pillar in drug control strategies. Important in reducing illicit cultivation and improving the lives of farmers. Healthy skepticism in the international community about alternative development. However, studies indicate that where alternative development is properly implemented, there are significant reductions in illicit crop production. Appeal to member states to continue supporting UNODC in pursuing alternative development.

Chief of the Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch

Technical difficulties in implementation. In regard to precursor control, there is evidence that the strategies are proving effective. However, NPS pose a challenge. With respect to cooperation, there is the need for closer coordination and for the sharing of information. Need to match the speed and flexibility of traffickers. This is a challenge that requires practical efforts on domestic and international levels. New technologies, such as smart phones, pose the practical challenge of pursuing those responsible for illicit drug trafficking.

Chief of the Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch

Countering Money Laundering – Since the adoption of the 2009 Political Declaration, member states have made progress in countering money laundering. It is clear that we need effective and increased international cooperation and exchange of information. The majority of member states already have some form of legislation criminalizing money laundering, much of which takes into consideration international standards. This trend is on the increase. Marginal increase in the measures taken by financial institutions to identify their customers and ownership information for legal purposes, plus implementing measures to detect suspicious transferring of money across borders. More member states implemented measures to trace, cease, freeze, and confiscate proceeds of crime to permanently deprive criminals of their funding. However, more work remains. States should make efforts to ensure that authorities dedicated to combating money laundering have the ability to effectively trace, cease, freeze, and confiscate, exchange information for these activities, conduct joint investigates, etc.

Judicial Cooperation – Progress has been achieved in recent years regarding the adoption of agreements. Based on data collected for 2010-2012, there was a small increase in states that had development agreements on extradition.