Gargash, UDOCD's chief discuss fighting crime, drugs, human trafficking

Dubai, Oct 17, 2008 (WAM) - Mohammed Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director-General of the United Nations Office in Vienna yesterday discussed UNDOC's role in combating organized crime, drugs and human trafficking in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Gulf countries.

The meeting also touched on the donation on February 2008 by General Sheikh H.H Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces in support of UNODC's efforts to fight human trafficking.

Gargash gave an overview of the UAE's efforts to combat human trafficking as well as the progress made so far in this regard.

Other topics discussed at the meeting include UNODC's latest report and cooperation on combating drugs.

Costa praised efforts made locally, regionally and internationally by UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT). He further praised the UAE relevant authorities for security cooperation with UNODC on combating drugs and raising awareness on the problem. – Emirates News Agency, WAM