UNODC hosts regional meeting to discuss rule of law and human security

23 November 2009 – The UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa has organized a regional ministerial meeting on 23-24 November with experts and ministers from all 13 countries in the region to discuss and endorse a new programme for the period 2009-2012 that will address environmental crime, corruption, terrorism, human trafficking, prison reform, piracy, HIV and AIDS and judicial reform throughout Eastern Africa.

The conference, on « Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in Eastern Africa », is organized by UNODC and hosted by the Government of Kenya.

Eastern Africa faces a number of threats from organized crime, including piracy, trafficking in weapons, drugs and persons, smuggling of migrants and environmental crime. This has a serious impact on the health, security and development of the region.

It is anticipated that ministers will agree on a political declaration and a regional programme of action to promote the rule of law and human security in East Africa for the period 2009-2012, to developed by UNODC and the States of the region.

Members of the press are invited to a press conference on Tuesday, 24 November, at 4 p.m. at the Safari Park Hotel and Casino in Nairobi.