Addis Ababa, November 7, 2024 (FBC) – This morning, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, met with Ms. Ashita Mittal, the Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Eastern Africa, to address pressing challenges posed by transnational organized crime in the Horn of Africa.
Their discussions focused on critical issues such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, counterfeit drug distribution, arms trafficking, contraband trade, and money laundering. Both parties emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach to tackle these interconnected threats that jeopardize the livelihoods of people in the region.
Ambassador Mesganu reaffirmed the Ethiopian government’s dedication to working closely with UNODC to combat these challenges in a coordinated manner. In response, Ms. Mittal highlighted that the partnership not only strengthens regional efforts but also contributes positively to continental initiatives. She assured the State Minister of UNODC’s ongoing commitment to providing capacity-building and technical support to enhance the capabilities of Ethiopian institutions in the fight against transnational crime.