Welcoming the newly appointed UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia on his first visit to Dhaka, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday emphasised the importance of enhancing cooperation between Bangladesh and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Adviser Hossain expressed hope that the conclusion of the proposed Cooperation Framework between the Government of Bangladesh and UNODC would deliver tangible results in the near future.
He also highlighted the necessity of establishing a UNODC Country Office in Dhaka to support the expanding scope of its work and collaboration with Bangladesh.
Hossain further stressed that the early repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar is essential for effectively addressing challenges faced by Bangladesh related to drugs and other organised transnational crimes in the region.
The newly appointed UNODC Regional Representative, Kristian Hölge, based in New Delhi, formally presented his credentials to Adviser Hossain at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his remarks, Hölge outlined UNODC’s ongoing engagements and shared his plans to strengthen the partnership with Bangladesh in combating drug trafficking, human trafficking, corruption, terrorism, and other transnational organized crimes.
Hölge also expressed his commitment to working closely with partners in Bangladesh to enhance impact, advance key initiatives and provide capacity-building for relevant officials in critical areas of UNODC’s mandate.
On the same day, Hölge also met with Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
SH
