Vienna, Austria— The Government of Uganda, represented by Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, has deepened its collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to tackle organized crime, particularly those affecting environmental protection and financial integrity.
These discussions occurred during the 12th Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) in Vienna, Austria, where global leaders convened to address pressing concerns about transnational organized crime.
Titled; Advancing Effective Response to Transnational Organized Crime: The Strategic Role of the UNTOC Review Mechanism, held on October 15, 2024, focused on refining global strategies to combat organized crime while reinforcing international accountability through the UNTOC Review Mechanism.
After giving a key note speech, during a high-level session, AG Kiwanuka also met with Ghada Fathi Waly, the Executive Director of UNODC, to explore new avenues for collaboration aimed at addressing illegal activities such as deforestation and wildlife trafficking—major drivers of environmental degradation.
Money laundering, which continues to undermine financial systems and development efforts, was another key issue on the agenda.
These discussions further underscored Uganda’s commitment to working closely with international partners to strengthen its legal frameworks and law enforcement capabilities in dealing with these challenges.
Waly expressed her support for Uganda’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in creating lasting solutions to combat organized crime.
She shared her optimism on social media, reinforcing UNODC’s dedication to Uganda’s initiatives.
The meeting, alongside Uganda’s active role in COP12, marks a significant step in addressing both environmental crimes and money laundering—two threats with wide-ranging impacts on the country’s development.
This renewed cooperation with UNODC is expected to enhance Uganda’s ability to effectively safeguard its resources and protect its economy from criminal exploitation.
