For information only - not an official document
UNIS/MA/32
12 November 2013
Bangkok/VIENNA 12 November 2013 (UN Information Service) - The Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Yury Fedotov, will visit Thailand on 14-15 November 2013.
On 14 November, Mr. Fedotov will jointly launch the new UNODC Regional Programme for Southeast Asia with Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations in Vienna, and Chaikasem Nitsiri, Thailand's Minister of Justice.
The new UNODC Regional Programme for Southeast Asia promotes the rule of law and assists Member States to address governance, security and public health challenges in Southeast Asia.
"The UNODC Southeast Asia Regional Programme is important because of the interconnected nature of drugs and transnational crime in this region," notes Mr. Fedotov.
The new Regional Programme for Southeast Asia focuses on five key issues: transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking; anti-corruption, terrorism prevention, criminal justice and drugs, health and alternative development.
Following the Programme launch, Mr. Fedotov will visit Klong Prem prison, where he will discuss prison reform and over-crowding issues, as well as alternatives to prison.
Later that day, Mr. Fedotov will visit the Thai Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Academy to discuss UNODC assistance to help DSI meet its mandates to fight transnational organized crime, human trafficking, cyber-crime and environmental crimes.
On Friday 15 November, Mr. Fedotov will be a keynote speaker and participant at the Bangkok Dialogue on the Rule of Law, hosted by the Thailand Institute of Justice.
During his visit, Mr. Fedotov will meet with national and regional leaders, key Thai government officials, ambassadors and UN and NGO partners. He will discuss issues arising from greater regional economic integration, including the subversion of legitimate supply chains by transnational organized crime groups, corruption and criminal justice reform.
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For further information please contact:
John
Bleho
Media and Communications Specialist
UNODC Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific
Email: john.bleho[at]unodc.org
Telephone: (+66) 2288.2091
Mobile: (+66) 81.750.0539
Skype: john.bleho
Twitter: @johnbleho
