Marking the first International Day for the Prevention of and Fight Against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime on November 15, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has stressed the urgent need for unified global responses to this escalating issue.

The observance, declared by the General Assembly in March 2024, pays tribute to victims of organized crime, including law enforcement and judicial personnel who have died upholding justice.

The theme “Organized crime steals, corrupts, and kills. It’s time we pull together to push back” underscores the critical nature of collective action.

Candice Welsch, UNODC Regional Representative for the Andean Region and southern South America, highlighted the cross-border nature of organized crime. “Almost all organized crime is transnational, it does not take place within a single country, but often crosses borders within regions and even beyond,” she explained.

The observance aims to mobilize governments, the private sector, civil society, and the public to act decisively against organized crime, which has infiltrated various aspects of society and poses grave threats to security and development.

Addressing Drug Trafficking and Environmental Harm

Transnational crime manifests in different forms worldwide, including drug trafficking and environmental destruction.

In the Andean region, Colombia and Ecuador face significant challenges, with Colombia’s coca cultivation reaching 253,000 hectares in 2023, producing approximately 2,664 metric tons of cocaine in 2022. These figures reflect a troubling trend that impacts regional stability and security.

Moreover, the issue extends beyond drug production. Illegal mining, deforestation, and wildlife trafficking, particularly in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, are contributing to gang violence and high homicide rates. Such conditions are hazardous for Indigenous communities and young people at risk of being recruited by criminal groups. Additionally, vulnerable migrant populations passing through the region are susceptible to human trafficking.

To combat these issues, UNODC promotes alternative development programs to support farmers dependent on coca cultivation. “What we are trying to do with alternative development programs is to offer these communities ways to move towards licit economies and a more secure future,” Welsch noted. Crops like coffee, cocoa, vanilla, and sacha inchi are promoted as sustainable alternatives.

Opium and Synthetic Drugs

While opium production in Afghanistan saw a temporary reduction due to a 2022 Taliban ban, cultivation rose by 19% in 2024 amid economic strain. UNODC has supported over 85,000 households with development programs, such as poultry farming, to provide income and food security.

In Southeast Asia, Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan as the largest opium producer, with a 36% rise in production in 2023. The region’s challenges extend to methamphetamine production, which has become the dominant drug with seizures increasing fourfold from 2013 to 2022.

UNODC’s Jeremy Douglas, now Chief of Staff and Strategy Advisor, emphasized the importance of cooperation. “Collaborating on security issues can be challenging for States, but the UN plays a crucial role in fostering dialogue,” he said.

Broader Impacts of Transnational Crime

Transnational crime does not just affect producer countries. North America, for example, grapples with a fentanyl crisis, while parts of Asia and Africa are facing the emergence of new synthetic drugs. Western and Central Europe, particularly countries with North Sea ports, have become major entry points for cocaine trafficking.

The Sahel region’s governance is weakened by illicit gold and fuel trafficking, further complicating efforts towards sustainable development and draining critical national revenue. Wildlife crime, gold smuggling, and fraud are further examples of how organized crime exploits fragile environments and vulnerable communities.

Despite these daunting challenges, the UNODC remains committed to enhancing international cooperation and supporting strategies to fight transnational crime. The agency’s focus on fostering partnerships and developing robust cross-border responses aims to ensure that societies around the globe can withstand and counter these threats.