UN agency calls for proactive approaches to tackle organized crime
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Organized crime montage
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is calling on countries to be creative and proactive in exchanging ideas and information on what is working in the global fight against drugs and crime.
UNODC says that while transnational organized crime costs the world $870 billion, the misery and suffering experienced by its victims are incalculable.
Riikka Puttonen from the agency's Organized Crime Branch says activities such as illegal logging, human trafficking and the illicit drug trade threaten development, the rule of law and security.
She adds that everyone can play a role in fighting organized crime, for instance by not buying counterfeit items such as DVDs.
"Organized crime is everywhere. We see it everywhere, but we are often not aware of it, and that's why we really have to make conscience choices in what kind of products we buy and how we consume as individuals." (Duration: 12″)
UNODC is this week hosting a meeting on the issue, which opened on Monday in Vienna.
