New UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia presents Letter of Appointment to Minister
UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia Marco Teixeria presented his Letter of Appointment to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, today.
During the meeting held following the presentation, Minister Shahid and the Regional Representative discussed the role of UNODC in South Asia and especially in the Maldives. The discussion also focused on the areas that UNODC is assisting the Government of Maldives in, including in combating transnational organized crime, countering terrorism and violent extremism and shared hopes for strengthened cooperation in the future.
The Regional Director also briefed the Minister on the formulation of UNODC’s new Regional Programme for South Asia (2023-2027). The regional programme will be aligned with the work being carried out under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2022-2026) and support the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other internationally agreed development frameworks.
UNODC has been exemplary in its work to support the Government in its ongoing activities on juvenile justice reform, combating the smuggling of migrants, drug trafficking, and maritime security which are some of the key priority areas of the Government of Maldives.