ABOUT US: SECTIONS
UN Affairs (UNA)
The United Nations Affairs (UNA) Section works with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to combat narcotics trafficking, international crime, corruption, and terrorism. UNA also works with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) to promote the work of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and engages the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) to promote international trade.
UNA Issues
Illicit Drug Trafficking
Illicit drug trafficking, international crime, corruption, and terrorism are interconnected problems that require multilateral efforts. UNA addresses these global issues through multilateral work with international organizations, like UNODC, and other permanent missions headquartered in Vienna. UNA serves as a connection between the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in Washington D.C. and the international counter narcotics community, helping to coordinate domestic efforts in the U.S. with the rest of the world.
Trafficking in Persons
UNA works hard to highlight and combat global human trafficking crimes, in accordance with the supplementary Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (the TIP protocol) to the UN Convention on Against Transnational Organized Crime (TOC). In Vienna, UNA participated in the March 2008 Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking as part of the UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT).
Trafficking in Forest Products
The U.S. government (USG) has worked closely with many governments, particularly through the G8 and the Coalition against Wildlife Trafficking, to address timber and wildlife trafficking globally. Illicit international trafficking in wildlife is an estimated $10 billion dollar black market. Illicit international trafficking in timber costs developing countries $10-15 billion in lost revenues every year. These crimes often are linked to organized crime and can involve many of the same culprits and smuggling routes as trafficking in arms, drugs, and persons. With USG support, this topic has recently become the focus of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna. In 2007, governments approved a UN resolution calling for expert attention to this issue which led to the convening of an expert workshop in Jakarta in March 2008. During the 2008 Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the USG sponsored a well-attended panel discussion on illicit trafficking in wildlife. UNA helps integrate USG expertise into UNODC’s work on and consideration of this topic.
Corruption
The U.S. government (USG) has clear foreign policy and national security interests in seeing corruption addressed on an international scale. Corrupt interests continually hamper global economic activity of American firms, which can lose contracts to competitors that offer bribes or can be harmed by the decisions of corrupt judges. Corruption deters foreign investment in many countries, stifles economic growth and sustainable development, distorts prices, and undermines legal and judicial systems. By diverting or misallocating government resources, corruption prevents public benefits from reaching those who most need them. Corruption can also interfere with accomplishing USG foreign assistance goals and implementing successful programs. Corruption fosters the continuing growth of transnational crime and international criminal organizations, both of which threaten the security of the United States and its citizens.
The USG pursues a mix of diplomatic, policy and programmatic efforts to strengthen the international fight against corruption. The most notable achievement in this area has been the entry into force in 2005 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) (ADD LINK TO TEXT OF UNCAC -http://www.unodc.org/pdf/crime/convention_corruption/signing/Convention-e.pdf ), the most comprehensive set of international commitments and standards for fighting corruption. The USG was an active participant in its negotiation, and has been a party since 2006. A list of other parties to UNCAC can be found at: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/treaties/CAC/signatories.html
UNCAC was negotiated under the auspices of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna. UNODC retains a key role in member state efforts to promote implementation. UNA is, thus, in the forefront of USG multilateral efforts related to promoting UNCAC implementation and facilitating international cooperation against corruption.
International Cooperation in Outer Space
The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) reviews international cooperation in outer space, devises programs to be carried out under UN auspices, encourages scientific research, and studies the legal problems arising from space exploration. The General Assembly, at the initiative of the United States, established COPUOS in 1958 as a permanent body with 24 members to succeed an 18-nation ad hoc committee dealing exclusively with non-military aspects of space. COPUOS presently has 69 member states. The US Delegation and Mission have an excellent working relationship with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (OOSA), which serves as the Committee's secretariat, and members of COPUOS. Despite our differences in other parts of the UN system, the US is routinely called on to take a leadership role on a range of political, technical, and management issues facing the Committee.
