UNODC South Asia representative presents credentials for Bangladesh

The Representative of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the South Asia, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, presented his credentials to Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali at the latter’s office Wednesday.

Based in New Delhi, the South Asia office also covers Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Kapinos updated the foreign minister about the recent activities of UNODC in this region, the foreign ministry said.

Ali expressed deep appreciation of the government to UNODC for its continued engagement with Bangladesh.

In continuation of the existing cooperation, Kapinos sought the support of the Bangladesh government to address the priority areas in the UNODC Regional Program for the period of 2018-2021.

Ali assured him of the government’s continued support to UNODC in all key areas including counter-terrorism, human trafficking and drug control.

The Ambassador is visiting Bangladesh from Mar 20 to Mar 23 and was present during the inaugural session of a workshop on Wednesday on 'Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism' in Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the UNODC has organised this two-day workshop that will end on Thursday.

A total of 30 participants mostly from Bangladesh government including the representatives of the civil society is taking part in the workshop which is aimed at identifying and sharing the established practices and approaches in this region and beyond to preventing and countering violent extremism.

The foreign ministry said this would provide an "opportunity" amongst the participants to assess its applicability in Bangladesh.