UN urges stronger regional cooperation to combat illicit drug trade

The United Nations (UN) Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Southern Africa has emphasised the critical need for deeper regional collaboration and stronger ties to combat the growing transit and trade of illicit drugs.

Its representative Jane Marie Ong’olo was speaking at the Trilateral Planning Cell (TPC) in Pretoria.

Ong’olo says ministerial multilateral law enforcement continues to face severe challenges, including information sharing and border management.

“The issues before us today, including information sharing, threat assessment, border management, financial investigations, legal cooperation, and operational coordination are all interconnected.

Addressing them requires an integrated approach and a shared vision across the nations,” she says.