UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

UN General Assembly Adopts Cybercrime Convention: A Step for UNODC for International Security

In a unanimous decision, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the first international cybercrime convention. Hailed by many as a historic achievement, this convention marks the first UN agreement on crime-related issues in over 20 years. In an increasingly digitalized world, the new convention aims to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime and shape a safer digital future.

January 2, 2025

UNODC: Increase in Opium Cultivation in Afghanistan Despite Continued Drug Ban

According to a recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, opium cultivation in Afghanistan increased by 19 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. After an unprecedented decline of 95% in 2023, when the de facto authorities enforced a strict ban on cultivation, the area under cultivation has reached 12,800 hectares. Nevertheless, cultivation is still far below the figures for 2022, when 232,000 hectares were used for opium cultivation.

November 17, 2024

Meet the New Permanent Observer of the Council of Europe to the International Organizations in Vienna

Hermine Poppeller, the Council of Europe's new permanent observer, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador, Hermine Poppeller, the new permanent observer of the Council of Europe to the International Organizations in Vienna.

November 14, 2024

Meet Germany's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna

Rüdiger Bohn, Germany's Permanent Representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office in Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Rüdiger Bohn, the Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the International Organizations in Vienna.

August 20, 2024

United Nations Finalize Convention Against Cybercrime with the Support of UNODC

After intensive negotiations and several years of work, the member states of the United Nations finalized a new international convention against cybercrime. This convention represents a historic step in the global fight against the growing threats in the digital space.

August 12, 2024

UNODC World Drug Report 2024: Expanding Drug Market, Ese, and Harms Increase World Drug Problem

The newly published World Drug Report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) paints an alarming picture of the global drug problem. The report documents a significant increase in drug use and trafficking, leading to a rise in drug addiction and considerable environmental damage.

June 26, 2024

UN in Vienna to Get Monumental Mural to Promote Sustainable Development

An impressive art project will enrich the skyline of Vienna when a giant mural is created on one of the towers of the Vienna International Center (VIC). In collaboration with the Calle Libre Street Art Festival and the UN family in Vienna, the artwork aims to highlight the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and shaping our common future.

June 5, 2024

UNODC Reports the Unyielding Challenge of Wildlife Trafficking

Wildlife trafficking remains a critical global issue, endangering thousands of species and disrupting ecosystems around the world. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released a comprehensive report detailing the scale and complexity of the ongoing challenge.

May 13, 2024

UK Minister Chris Philp Advocates for Stronger International Cooperation at UN Narcotics Commission in Vienna

The Rt Hon Chris Philp MP, Minister for Crime, Policing, and Fire, represented the United Kingdom at this year's United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) meeting in Vienna. The CND serves as the UN's foremost policymaking body in the sphere of drug control, tasked with overseeing the application of international drug control treaties.

May 2, 2024

UNODC Launches Global Initiative to Combat Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants

At a time of global challenges such as war, large-scale migration and refugee flows, increasing cybercrime, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic, human trafficking and migrant smuggling have become a multi-billion dollar business. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna has presented a new global initiative to combat these problems.

April 22, 2024

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Vienna: Commitment to Global Challenges

At a time of global uncertainty and increasing challenges, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken's visit to Vienna sent a strong message of international cooperation and diplomatic dialog. During his stay in the Austrian capital, Blinken tackled several key issues ranging from the fight against synthetic drugs to nuclear security and continued support for Ukraine.

March 17, 2024

EU Strengthens Multilateral Diplomacy in Vienna Amid Global Challenges

In a move to bolster multilateral diplomacy and cooperation, the Ambassadors to the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the Council of the European Union embarked on a significant visit to Vienna. This visit underscores the European Union's aspirations to strengthen its role in the global multilateral and security order, particularly at a time when the world is grappling with multiple crises.

February 22, 2024

Intensive Diplomatic Activities of the Iraqi Foreign Minister in Vienna

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held a series of significant meetings during his official visit to Austria aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and discussing key regional challenges.

January 24, 2024

Meet the Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of The Netherlands to the United Nations in Vienna

Peter Potman, Dutch Ambassador and Permanent Representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador, Peter Potman, the new permanent representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the International Organizations in Vienna and Ambassador to Austria.

September 6, 2023

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Hungary to the International Organizations in Vienna

Ferenc Dancs, Hungary's new diplomat in Vienna has the challenging task of navigating Hungary's interests within complex multilateral organizations that aim to ensure peace, stability, and democracy across its member states. Meet Ambassador, Ferenc Dancs, the new permanent representative of the Republic of Hungary to the International Organizations in Vienna.

August 30, 2023

Interpol and UNODC Strengthen Global Fight Against Forestry Crime with Norway's Support

In a bid to combat forestry crime on a global scale, an international coalition spearheaded by Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) supported by Norway has inaugurated the second stage of a revolutionary initiative, LEAP II.

August 27, 2023

Meet the Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations in Vienna

Ian David Grainge Biggs, Australia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative, presented his credentials to Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador, Ian David Grainge Biggs, the new permanent representative of Australia to the International Organizations in Vienna and Ambassador to Austria.

August 22, 2023

The Royal Foundation and UNODC Join Forces to Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade

The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has announced a landmark partnership to address the global illegal wildlife trade through the United for Wildlife program.

July 23, 2023

Tanzania Officially Opened its Embassy in Vienna

Tanzania's Foreign Minister Stergomena Lawrence Tax visited Vienna on the occasion of the opening of the Tanzanian Embassy in Vienna. The meetings with Austrian and UN Diplomats focused on deepening bilateral and multilateral relations.

June 13, 2023

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations in Vienna

Stephen Mubiru, Uganda's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador, Stephen Mubiru, the new permanent representative of the Republic of Uganda to the International Organizations in Vienna.

June 12, 2023

Meet the New Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations in Vienna

Pablo Berti Oliva, Cuba's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador, Pablo Berti Oliva, the new permanent representative of the Republic of Cuba to the International Organizations in Vienna and Ambassador to Austria.

April 19, 2023

New Chinese Ambassador Held Welcome Reception at Vienna International Center

The new permanent representative of the People's Republic of China to the international organizations in Vienna, Li Song, held a Welcome Reception at the Vienna International Center.

April 13, 2023

Austria's Cooperation with EU Drugs Agency Exemplary

The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is the leading European institution in the field of drugs. EMCDDA Executive Director Alexis Goosdeel is meeting with the Austrian ministries responsible for drug policy issues, in particular with Health Minister Johannes Rauch and Justice Minister Alma Zadić, as part of a three-day working visit to exchange views.

March 20, 2023

UNODC Warns of Rise in Cocaine Smuggling

After a slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, global cocaine production has exploded in the past two years, according to a new report from the Vienna-based United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

March 19, 2023

Minister Schallenberg Welcomed Bolivias Vice President David Choquehuanca

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has met with Bolivian Vice President David Choquehuanca. Together they talked about the good relations between the two countries and the consequences of the Russian aggression on Ukraine.

March 14, 2023

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the International Organizations in Vienna

Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales, Guatemala's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales, the new permanent representative of Guatemala to the International Organizations in Vienna.

February 28, 2023

Essl Foundation and UN in Vienna Mark 10 Years of Partnership

In 2013, the UN Office at Vienna (UNOV), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Essl Foundation formed a partnership to achieve the UN's commitment to building a better world for people with disabilities. A partnership of 10 years between the United Nations in Vienna and the Essl Foundation has resulted in significant achievements for disability inclusion.

February 21, 2023

United States Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh Visits Austria

Marty Walsh, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, visited Austria and learned about best practices in apprenticeship training from several government and industry representatives. This was a further expansion of bilateral relations based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2022 to strengthen cooperation between the U.S. and Austria in apprenticeship training.

January 25, 2023

Armenian Foreign Minister Visits Vienna Because of Nagorno-Karabakh's Worsening Humanitarian Situation

Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan is currently on a working visit to Vienna to participate in the Special Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council initiated by Armenia, due to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. In addition, Mirzoyan met with Ghada Fathi Waly, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna and with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

January 17, 2023

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Estonia to the United Nations in Vienna

Merle Pajula, Estonia's new permanent representative, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Merle Pajula, the new Ambassador to Austria and permanent representative of Estonia to the International Organizations in Vienna.

October 13, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations in Vienna

Susan Eckey, Norway's new permanent representative, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Susan Eckey, the new permanent representative of Norway to the International Organizations in Vienna.

October 6, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Moldova to the United Nations in Vienna

Mihaela Mocanu, Moldova's new permanent representative, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. As the new Resident Representative of Moldova to the IAEA, Ms. Mocanu presented her credentials as well to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. Meet Ambassador Mihaela Mocanu, the new permanent representative of the Republic of Moldova to the International Organizations in Vienna.

October 3, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations in Vienna

Lorenzo Ravano, Monaco's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Lorenzo Ravano, the new permanent representative of the Principality of Monaco to the International Organizations in Vienna.

September 21, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of France to the International Organizations in Vienna

Delphine Hournau-Pouëzat, France's new permanent representative to the United Nations (Vienna), presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Delphine Hournau-Pouëzat, the new Permanent Representative of the French Republic to the International Organizations in Vienna.

September 20, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations in Vienna

Bharat Kumar Regmi, Ambassador-Designate of Nepal to Austria and Nepal's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Bharat Kumar Regmi, the new permanent representative of Nepal to the International Organizations in Vienna.

September 15, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations in Vienna

Talal Alfassam, Kuwait's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Dennis Thatchaichawalit. Meet Ambassador Talal Alfassam, the new permanent representative of Kuwait to the International Organizations in Vienna.

August 29, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations in Vienna

Mohsen Naziri Asl, Iran's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Dennis Thatchaichawalit. Meet Ambassador Naziri Asl, the new permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the International Organizations in Vienna.

August 16, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the United Nations in Vienna

Levent Eler, Turkey's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Dennis Thatchaichawalit. Meet Ambassador Levent Eler, the new permanent representative of the Republic of Turkey to the International Organizations in Vienna.

August 16, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Vienna Iran Nuclear Talks Back on Track

The Find out more about this week's developments. Negotiations with Iran to save the nuclear agreement have resumed in Vienna. The Ukrainian ambassador, Vasyl Khymynets, recently criticized the Austrian police. Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.

August 4, 2022

FIFA and UNODC Against Match-Fixing in Football

For the first time, FIFA and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have conducted a joint international training program to support FIFA's 211 member associations in the fight against match-fixing in football.

August 3, 2022

International Day Against Human Trafficking: What Measures is Vienna Taking?

International Day against Trafficking in Persons is held every year on 30 July in order to raise awareness of human trafficking and its consequences. This year's theme is "new technologies that enable and prevent trafficking in persons."

July 29, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations in Vienna

Peter Mišík, Slovakia's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Peter Mišík, the new permanent representative of the Slovak Republic to the International Organizations in Vienna.

July 20, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Diplomacy and State Visits in Vienna

Read about the newest developments in Diplomacy in Vienna and Austria. The Dutch Royal Couple visited Austria and International Organizations in Vienna released important publications. The consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian War are making themselves felt in security issues and are changing people's lives in Vienna as well. Further, the newest developments in the Iran Nuclear talks raise hopes. The Find out more about this week's developments.

June 30, 2022

UNODC World Drug Report 2022 Highlights Trends in Global Drug Supply and Demand

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime released its annual World Drug Report. The Report highlights new trends on cannabis post-legalization, environmental impacts of illicit drugs, relations between drug markets and conflict zones like Ukraine, and drug use among women and youth. Learn more about the World Drug Report 2022.

June 29, 2022

31st Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Will Be Held in Vienna

Next week, the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) will meet in Vienna between 16 and 18 May. If you want to know what the main tasks of the CCPCJ are and what topics will be discussed this year at the 31st session, read on.

May 13, 2022

Meeting of UN Officials in Vienna: What Is the Chief Executives Board of Coordination

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the senior management of UN agencies are currently meeting in Vienna. The main reason for the meeting is the Chief Executives Board of Coordination, the highest coordination body of the United Nations. Read more about this important event.

May 12, 2022

UN Secretary-General António Guterres about to visit Austria

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will visit Austria this week. In addition to a stay at the Vienna University of Technology and the Vienna International Center, he will also meet with Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen to discuss the Ukraine war and its international consequences.

May 9, 2022

Women Refugees From Ukraine Particularly At Risk

The war in Ukraine is already in its ninth week. The Russian invasion caused many people to leave the country, especially women and children. These groups are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by criminal structures and others with malicious intentions.

April 25, 2022

UNODC and OSCE Support Efforts Against Human Trafficking of Refugees in Ukraine

The Russian Invasion of Ukraine caused a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Many Ukrainians are fleeing the country and are becoming refugees in their neighboring countries. UNODC and OSCE recently showed concern about Human Trafficking and that Ukrainian refugees could become targets of traffickers.

March 29, 2022

Ukraine's Displaced Children: 70,000 Have Already Crossed into Austria

The war in Ukraine is causing inhuman suffering and despair - especially among children. More than half of the Ukrainian children are considered displaced and many of them also found their way to Austria. If you want to learn more details about the current challenges, please read on.

March 25, 2022