United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

What United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime does

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a non-profit UN agency headquartered in Vienna and established in 1997. It supports UN member-state governments—especially ministries of justice, interior and health, border-management bodies, and law-enforcement agencies—with research, data analysis, policy frameworks, treaty implementation, technical assistance, training, and operational programs on drugs, organized crime, corruption, trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism, and criminal justice. Delivery occurs through bilateral and multilateral programs, field offices, and direct government engagement.

Its core knowledge and technology portfolio includes the annual World Drug Report, the UNODC Data Portal, and programs such as the Container Control Programme, AIRCOP, CRIMJUST, the Global Cybercrime Programme, PROMIS, and CONNECT. UNODC does not charge member-state recipients for these services; its funding consists of assessed UN budget allocations and voluntary contributions from member states and other donors.

Name

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Legal name

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Website

https://unodc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is a Vienna-based UN agency providing research, data, policy support, technical assistance, and capacity building to member-state governments and their justice, health, border, and law-enforcement institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Public Safety and Crime Prevention

NAICS

International Affairs (92812)

SIC

Foreign Governments (8888)

akta.pro primary industry

United Nations System & Specialized Agencies (BPADAAAA)

Keywords

• International drug control
• Crime prevention programs
• Anti-corruption initiatives
• Criminal justice reform
• Human trafficking prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Member State Contributions: UNODC is funded through voluntary contributions from UN member states, who provide financial support based on agreed assessment scales and direct funding for specific programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

UNODC is a United Nations agency that provides research, normative frameworks, capacity building, and technical assistance to member states to address illicit drugs, transnational organized crime, corruption, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime, and terrorism prevention. It administers key international conventions, publishes flagship research such as the World Drug Report, operates the UNODC Data Portal, and runs field-based programs including the Container Control Programme, AIRCOP, CRIMJUST, Global Cybercrime Programme, PROMIS, and the CONNECT Initiative.

Product overview

UNODC operates as a United Nations entity providing global public goods across drugs, crime, and justice domains rather than a commercial product company. Its portfolio consists of research publications (World Drug Report), data platforms (UNODC Data Portal), and capacity-building programs including Container Control Programme, AIRCOP, CRIMJUST, Global Cybercrime Programme, PROMIS, and the CONNECT Initiative. These work together as an integrated approach to helping Member States address transnational crime, drug trafficking, corruption, and cybersecurity threats through research, data, training, and technical assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• World Drug Report: Annual flagship publication providing comprehensive data and analysis on global drug markets
• Global Report on Trafficking in Persons
• Blue Heart Campaign
• Connect Initiative

Products and services

• UNODC Data Portal Online platform providing access to statistics and indicators across twelve thematic areas related to drugs, crime, and criminal justice, available to member states, researchers, and the public.
• World Drug Report Annual comprehensive report analyzing global drug markets, trends, and patterns published by UNODC for policymakers, researchers, and the public.
• Container Control Programme Joint UNODC-WCO initiative helping countries establish effective border control and container inspection capabilities to detect drugs, weapons, and other contraband.
• Airport Communication Programme (AIRCOP) Program establishing real-time communication platforms at airports to enhance detection and interception of drugs and other illicit goods.
• CRIMJUST Program supporting criminal justice responses to organized crime and drug trafficking through capacity building and regional cooperation.
• Global Cybercrime Programme Technical assistance program helping Member States strengthen their responses to cybercrime through training, capacity building, and legal framework support.
• AI-Driven Legal Information Platform AI-powered legal information platform providing survivors of domestic violence with a secure, anonymous reporting channel to the Judicial Police.
• Digital Forensic Capability Program Month-long sequenced digital forensics capability building program including XRY Mobile Forensics, Passware Password Recovery, digital evidence in criminal proceedings, and legal framework review for the UN Convention against Cybercrime.
• Electronic Case Management System Electronic Case Management System for criminal cases implemented under the UN Peacebuilding Fund joint programme to support criminal justice sector reform.
• PROMIS (Border Management Information System) Border management information system supporting coordinated referral mechanisms for trafficking victims and coordinated border security operations.
• CONNECT Initiative Program designed to disrupt financial links between criminal networks and terrorist groups, scheduled for launch in November 2026 in partnership with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 164 seizures across 12 African countries in Operation SAMA III
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Union (EU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2026Joint warning on rising human trafficking for criminal activities in scam centres; coordinated support for countries through training programs for criminal justice professionals; joint implementation of PACTS project in Nigeria
• Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to combat illegal mining linked to organized crime and terrorism; introduction of CONNECT Initiative to disrupt financial links between criminal networks and terrorist groups, scheduled for November 2026 launch
• NSCDC Mining MarshalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic cooperation with Mining Marshals' enforcement efforts; introduction of CONNECT Initiative for disrupting financial ties between criminal networks and terrorist groups
• Ghana Maritime AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Maritime and Related Offences Bill 2026; stakeholder sensitisation workshops to prepare institutions for implementation; aligning Ghana's laws with UNCLOS
• EU (Operation SAMA III)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-country operation resulting in 164 seizures across 12 African countries involving wildlife, drugs, and weapons; emphasis on post-seizure investigations and intelligence-led enforcement
• US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in commissioning bakery and vocational training facilities at Nsawam Medium Security Prison in Ghana; completing a three-year rehabilitation project
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint implementation of USD 2.5 million Peacebuilding Fund programme for justice and security sector reform in São Tomé and Príncipe; partnership with OHCHR under the joint programme
• OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programme for justice and security sector reform in São Tomé and Príncipe; digital forensics training and legal framework review for UN Convention against Cybercrime
• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) NigeriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint efforts to establish coordinated referral system for victims of trafficking under PROMIS project; training held in Sokoto with border management agencies
• EUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for maritime security cooperation meeting in Nairobi addressing piracy, human trafficking, and shipping disruptions in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
• WHO, ILO, UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Kuwait's Ta'afi (Recovery) Initiative for addiction recovery and social reintegration; comprehensive support combining rehabilitation, employment, and social reintegration
• UNODC (Backing)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBacking the Return to Nigeria Initiative framework designed to curb brain drain by integrating tech-trained youths into public administration
• Qatar National Cyber Security AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCybersecurity cooperation training visit and bilateral meeting in Doha; knowledge sharing on regulatory mandates and operational responsibilities
• AeroméxicocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint study on human trafficking in Mexico's tourism sector; presented findings on trafficking cases in Mexico City, Cancún, and Puerto Vallarta
• World BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting Beneficial Ownership Transparency Working Group with support from UK's FCDO; includes representatives from FATF, OECD, IMF, and UNODC
• Local Indonesian OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership hosting Responsible Business Forum 2025; emphasizing integrity in ESG implementation and supporting Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Law amendments
• ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption, Hong Kong)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organisation of AI and technologies training for 22 anti-corruption agencies across 16 jurisdictions; part of GlobE Network initiative

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• World Bank: The World Bank is a multilateral institution that co-hosts the Beneficial Ownership Transparency Working Group with UNODC and funds justice-sector reform in overlapping countries. It is both a peer in international development finance and a frequent co-financier of UNODC programs.
• UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency): UNHCR is a sister UN agency whose mandate intersects with UNODC on human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Both serve vulnerable populations affected by organized crime and operate global field networks dependent on voluntary contributions.
• UNICEF: UNICEF is a peer UN agency working on violence against children, a thematic area where UNODC also operates. They co-fund and co-implement child-protection and justice-for-children programmes at country level.

Direct peers

• FATF (Financial Action Task Force): FATF sets global anti-money laundering standards and works on illicit financial flows that intersect directly with UNODC's corruption and financial crime mandate. Both organizations co-convene initiatives such as the Beneficial Ownership Transparency Working Group and target transnational financial crime.
• OECD: OECD's Anti-Corruption and Integrity initiatives and Working Group on Bribery overlap directly with UNODC's anti-corruption mandate. The two organizations collaborate on beneficial ownership transparency, anti-bribery enforcement, and integrity in ESG frameworks.
• WHO (World Health Organization): WHO and UNODC partner on drug dependence treatment, HIV prevention among people who use drugs, and addiction recovery initiatives such as Kuwait's Ta'afi Initiative. They share mandate overlap on the public health dimensions of drug policy and jointly publish programmatic guidance.
• INTERPOL: INTERPOL is the closest peer to UNODC: an intergovernmental organization with a global mandate for police cooperation and information sharing on transnational crime. Both organizations serve as the operational backbone for member states on cross-border crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism-related investigations.

Broad incumbents

• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme): UNDP is the UN's broad development agency and a core operational partner to UNODC. The two jointly implement rule-of-law and peacebuilding programmes (e.g., the São Tomé and Príncipe USD 2.5M Peacebuilding Fund project), making UNDP both a peer and a frequent co-delivery partner.

Regional players

• Council of Europe: The Council of Europe operates GRECO and the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, both of which overlap with UNODC's anti-corruption and cybercrime mandates. It is a regional norm-setter that competes with and complements UNODC in European jurisdictions.
• Europol: Europol is the EU's law enforcement agency, a regional peer focused on Europe. It overlaps with UNODC on organized crime, drug trafficking, and cybercrime intelligence, but is jurisdictionally limited to EU member states and partners with UNODC on global initiatives.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UNODC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UNODCHQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/unodc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unodc
• Instagraminstagram.com/unodc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime