UNODC

REGIONAL PROGRAMME
FOR SOUTH ASIA
Brief Background (2018-2021)
Background and Context
The UNODC Regional Office for South Asia assists Member States in their struggle to
combat illicit drugs and international crime. Over the past two decades, UNODC has been
working with governments and people in the region to provide specialized assistance on
challenges pertaining to regional security, crime prevention, justice and health. The
commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), human rights and the rule of law
is at the core of UNODC’s mandate.

Member States

Bangladesh Bhutan India Maldives Nepal Sri Lanka

Thematic Areas of Focus

 Interventions

UNODC delivers technical interventions aimed at promoting security, justice and

health, which are linked to national priorities as well as the achievement of SDGs. This
is done through targeted, evidence-based projects on key mandate areas that are gender
and youth responsive. UNODC also works towards facilitating the ratification and
implementation of the relevant UN conventions, standards and norms, generating and
exchanging comparative data and information, promoting cross-border consultations
and cooperation and ensuring access to technical expertise, global knowledge products
and best international practices. The UNODC comparative advantage lies in its
neutrality to address the most complex and sensitive challenges affecting the region.
The cross cutting principle of “leave no one behind” is at the crux of all our efforts.

Broadly, UNODC works on the following:

 Evidence-based research and threat-impact assessments

 Training and capacity building initiatives
 Community-level interventions
 Exchange of global expertise and successes in customised local frameworks
 Strategic outreach with Governments and key stakeholders
 Policy advocacy
 Implementation of technical innovations to counter crime
 Public awareness campaigns

Partnerships

Since UNODC is a technical agency, contributions from external partners form a core
funding base for our work. UNODC’s partnerships typically involve building mutually
beneficial national and regional alliances by aligning the partner’s philanthropic,
strategic and branding focus with UNODC’s core mandate areas. UNODC Regional
Office for South Asia maintains an ongoing, substantive dialogue with the
Governments, civil society, UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral organizations,
corporate sector, academia and media.

We invite partners and organizations to partner with us on holistic and

comprehensive projects aimed at realizing the Sustainable Development
Goals, while making South Asia safer from drugs, crime and terrorism.
 Contact us:

Regional Office for South Asia

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
EP 16/17, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi-110021
Telephone: +91-11 24104964/68
Website: www.unodc.org/southasia/

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