Latest news with #UNODC
Dubai Eye
a day ago
- Dubai Eye
UAE at forefront of global drug prevention: UN official
A top United Nations official has praised the UAE as a global leader in the fight against drug abuse. Judge Hatem Fouad Aly, Regional Representative for the Gulf region at the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), says the country sets a strong example in prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation. Speaking at the Drug Prevention Forum 2025, which opened in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Fouad highlighted the UAE's long-standing partnership with the UNODC. He described the forum as a key platform to spotlight the dangers of drug abuse and the UAE's pioneering efforts to address them. Aly also noted the importance of community involvement, especially in what has been declared the 'Year of the Community,' and commended the UAE for its innovative strategies and more than a decade of collaboration with the UN on this issue.
TAG 91.1
a day ago
- TAG 91.1
UAE at forefront of global drug prevention: UN official
A top United Nations official has praised the UAE as a global leader in the fight against drug abuse. Judge Hatem Fouad Aly, Regional Representative for the Gulf region at the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), says the country sets a strong example in prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation. Speaking at the Drug Prevention Forum 2025, which opened in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Fouad highlighted the UAE's long-standing partnership with the UNODC. He described the forum as a key platform to spotlight the dangers of drug abuse and the UAE's pioneering efforts to address them. Aly also noted the importance of community involvement, especially in what has been declared the 'Year of the Community,' and commended the UAE for its innovative strategies and more than a decade of collaboration with the UN on this issue.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Africa loses $120bln to graft
Africa loses up to $120 billion each year to corruption, a crisis that continues to undermine the continent's economic independence and development ambitions. According to the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC), these losses are particularly devastating given that a large portion of the funds lost to corruption are borrowed from international lenders to support development and stabilise fragile economies. AUABC vice-chairperson Yvonne Mutepuka said: 'The irony is painful, because we borrow heavily to finance development, only for that money to be lost through corruption. This vicious cycle keeps African nations dependent and underdeveloped.'Despite ongoing anti-corruption campaigns in African countries, Mutepuka noted that the challenge remains entrenched, requiring renewed commitment, stronger institutions and political will. She was addressing the AUABC 49th Ordinary Session in Arusha on Tuesday. The session also marked the swearing-in of a new board. Her remarks were echoed by findings from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which show that corruption is the leading obstacle to Africa's economic and social development, consuming nearly 25 percent of the continent's GDP annually. The fight against corruption on the continent is guided by the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), which provides a legal framework for member states. Of the 54 African Union (AU) member states, 50 have signed the convention, and 49 have ratified it. But only 12 countries have undergone national anti-corruption reviews. Mutepuka urged the new board to intensify peer review and engage the four countries that have yet to sign the convention.'There is no time to waste, these reviews are crucial in helping countries identify gaps in their legal systems and take corrective action,' she said. 'Go out and inform governments that enormous gains await those who fully embrace the AU Convention. But, above all, we need governments that are genuinely committed to building robust anti-corruption institutions.'Outgoing chairperson Seynabou Diakhate warned that declaring 'total victory' might be ambitious, 'but that is our goal.' Donald Deya, CEO of the Pan African Lawyers Union, stated that internal revenues would be sufficient for Africa's development needs if not for corruption.'Without corruption, African countries wouldn't need to borrow anything, but we lose so much to graft that we are forced to seek loans, which only fuels dependency,' he said. The African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2024 reported that Africa's external debt grew from $1.12 trillion in 2022 to $1.152 trillion by the end of 2023. In 2024 alone, the continent spent $102.59 billion on debt repayments, according to a report by the ONE Campaign, an international NGO advocating for an end to extreme poverty. The report warns that this growing debt burden severely threatens Africa's ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in sectors like health, education, and infrastructure.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
UN agency map reveals Cambodia as global scammer hub
Contrary to widespread assumptions that Myanmar is the regional epicentre, Cambodia now appears as the leading hotspot for cyber fraud operations. PHOTO: ST FILE BANGKOK - Several observers agree that Prime Minister Hun Manet's government is facing mounting domestic pressure amid a worsening economic climate, widening inequality, and a surge in illicit activity, particularly cybercrime and online scams. International intelligence and reports suggest that the profits from these illegal enterprises are, in part or in large measure, connected to individuals close to the Cambodian political elite. This is not mere speculation. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released detailed findings on transnational organised crime, cybercrime, and online scam operations. Their research includes a map of global scam centres, offering a sobering picture of the scale and geography of such activity. The map, compiled by UNODC, clearly identifies multiple scam hubs along the Thai-Cambodian border. Interestingly, contrary to widespread assumptions that Myanmar is the regional epicentre, Cambodia now appears as the leading hotspot for cyber fraud operations. Among the most prominent locations marked on the map is Sihanoukville, cited by the UNODC as one of the largest scam centres in Cambodia. The report highlights significant foreign investment in the area, which has evolved into both a hideout and operational base for scam syndicates targeting victims worldwide, including in Thailand. Poipet, a border town directly opposite Aranyaprathet in Thailand's Sa Kaeo Province, has also become a strategic base for criminal networks seeking to infiltrate the Thai market. Further south and inland, the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, Bavet, and Preah Sihanouk province are similarly highlighted, indicating that the scam industry is no longer confined to border zones. Instead, it has expanded into major cities, including the national capital, underscoring the scale and institutional entrenchment of cybercriminal activity within Cambodia. These findings from the UNODC cast a spotlight not only on the country's growing reputation as a cybercrime hub but also on the complex nexus of political power, economic desperation, and transnational crime now shaping Cambodia's internal and external challenges. One of the key concerns for the international community, major powers, and UNODC is the growing body of evidence pointing to clear financial links between Cambodia's political elite and the country's burgeoning scam industry, particularly the so-called 'scam centres' operating under the guise of legitimate businesses. A notable example is the LYP Group, which holds concessions in Cambodia's Koh Kong Special Economic Zone. Its subsidiaries include Koh Kong International Resort Club, and Export-Import. The group has been sanctioned and blacklisted by the United States for its alleged involvement in corruption, human trafficking, forced labour, and online fraud. In a more politically sensitive case, a nephew of former Prime Minister Hun Sen has been implicated in large-scale online scam operations, including the embezzlement of over US$49 billion (S$63 billion) in digital assets since 2021. He has also been linked to Huione Group, a major conglomerate accused of conducting illicit financial transactions, including money laundering and cyber theft, across the region. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Jordan News
6 days ago
- Business
- Jordan News
Al-Farayeh: Comprehensive Project to Develop King Hussein Bridge – Completion in 20 Months - Jordan News
The Ministry of Interior launched today a project to develop and rehabilitate the King Hussein Bridge, funded by the Government of Canada and in strategic partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The event was attended by Minister of Interior Mazen Al-Farayeh, Canadian Ambassador to Jordan Tariq Ali Khan, UNODC Representative in Jordan Amjad Al-Adarbeh, along with several officials and representatives from security agencies. اضافة اعلان In his speech at the launch ceremony, Minister Al-Farayeh emphasized that initiating such a vital project amid current security challenges reflects Jordan's determination to proceed with strategic initiatives that enhance security and facilitate the movement of travelers. He praised Canada's strong support in areas of development, defense, security, and women's empowerment, as well as the historic partnership between the two nations. Al-Farayeh noted that rehabilitating the crossing aims to alleviate the suffering of travelers, especially Palestinians coming from the West Bank and Jerusalem, given the bridge's humanitarian and geographical significance as the only gateway for Palestinians to the outside world. It also serves as a main corridor for Palestinian pilgrims and Umrah travelers. He explained that the current project is part of a broader governmental plan to upgrade the center's infrastructure. This includes establishing a new departure and arrival terminal, expanding cargo areas, and improving the road network leading to the bridge from all directions, all of which will enhance commercial traffic and facilitate the movement of people and goods. The estimated duration of the project is around 20 months, with the government aiming to shorten this timeframe as much as possible. For his part, Canadian Ambassador Tariq Ali Khan expressed his pleasure in participating in the event, affirming Canada's commitment to supporting humanitarian and development efforts in Jordan and the region. He commended Jordan's role in facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and praised the work of Jordanian border personnel and UN partners. Khan stated that the project, funded at 3.4 million Canadian dollars, includes the construction of dedicated corridors for humanitarian aid, and training facilities to build staff capacity and respond to growing needs. He emphasized that this collaboration would not have been possible without the strong partnership with the UN and Jordanian authorities. UNODC's Jordan Director, Amjad Al-Adarbeh, stressed that the project responds to a pressing need to upgrade the King Hussein Bridge, given its critical security and humanitarian dimensions. He noted that the project focuses on three main pillars: enhancing the capabilities of personnel working at the center, improving infrastructure and facilities, and strengthening institutional cooperation among partners. Al-Adarbeh added that the UNODC has been working with the Jordanian government for years on projects related to combating organized crime, terrorism, and drug trafficking, as well as developing criminal justice systems. He described the current project as a valuable addition to efforts aimed at strengthening national border security. Project liaison officer Dr. Mahmoud Freihat presented the project's stages and final designs, which aim to deliver high-quality services to travelers and staff at the center, support regional stability and security, and ease the suffering of affected communities—especially Palestinians.
