Arab and UN experts address drugs, crime cases in the region

CAIRO: Arab and UN officials and experts gathered on Monday to examine a joint program that addresses a host of issues, including Arab countries’ efforts against corruption, organized crime, and narcotics. Their meeting, held at the Arab League headquarters, kicked off at the level of the follow-up committee on implementing the “Regional Framework for the Arab States 2023-2028,” a joint scheme designed to tackle issues in diverse realms. Dr. Maha Bakhit, the director of the legal affairs department at the Arab League, said in a press release that the meeting was held as part of the regular assessment of the activities and projects executed within the common program.

Dr. Bakhit indicated that the agenda included an examination of “subsequent changes,” covering ministries and departments tasked with youth, educational, cultural, human rights, and corruption’s issues. Additionally, the topics on the table include works of the departments of justice, interior, and health “that are of paramount significance at present, particularly with respect to combating terrorism, organized crime, fighting corruption, financial crimes, narcotics, and boosting justice,” she said.

The meeting brought together Arab League legal officials and counterparts from the UNODC, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. UNODC’s mission aims to contribute to peace and security, human rights, and development by making the region safer from drugs, crime, corruption, and terrorism, including by reducing violence and inequalities within society. The conferees included officials from several Arab states, including Kuwait.