The Norwegian government is to provide NOK 26 million for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The funds will be used to fight crime at the global level.
“Organised crime undermines development. The criminal networks embezzle the resources that should be benefiting society as a whole and they destroy the environment. Corruption and tax evasion lead to greater disparities between rich and poor,” said Minister of International Development Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås.
Among other things, the funds will be channelled to efforts to combat environmental crime, illegal logging and illegal fishing, with a criminal market estimated to USD 70–200 billion per year, of which a majority is in developing countries. UNODC’s work to fight illegal catches and the trade in endangered animal species will be among the efforts supported. Norway will also support the organisation’s efforts to fight terrorism and corruption.
“UNODC is one of our most important tools in the global fight against organised crime,” commented Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
“Organised crime is cross-border and international. Global criminal networks are also a major challenge in Europe, and they were highlighted in EUROPOL’s Serious and Organized crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA 2013). If we are to succeed in the fight against crime in Norway, we must contribute to the fight against crime at the global level,” said Minister of Justice and Public Security Grete Faremo.
UNODC will also use the funds from Norway in the fight against human trafficking, cybercrime and drug trafficking.
“If we are to succeed in the fight against drugs, our efforts must be broad-based. In our international efforts to fight drugs, Norway places particular weight on strengthening drug addicts’ rights to basic health services, and emphasises the importance of prevention,” said Minister of Health and Care Services Jonas Gahr Støre.
(Press release)
Rolleiv Solholm
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