U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is pleased to announce a new voluntary contribution of $2 million USD to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Global Programme on Cybercrime, more than a third of which focuses on assisting Panama.
COVID-19 has afforded new opportunities for cybercriminals to execute traditional criminal activities in cyberspace, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation, fraud, and trafficking in persons. Moreover, the trade of illicit drugs online is a growing concern in the Latin American and Caribbean regions.
This funding will include a focus on strengthening the ability of Panamanian law enforcement and criminal justice authorities to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate cybercrime and cyber-enabled cases. Specifically, Panama’s Cyber Crime Unit and Digital Forensic Laboratory will receive assistance to strengthen digital forensics capabilities. The funding will also support related workshops and campaigns, aimed at increasing public awareness of the threats posed by cybercrime and the steps taken to prevent and report offenses.
The contribution aims to create synergies between neighboring countries in the fight against cybercrime and to foster regional cooperation at an operational level. The United States is pleased to support Panama’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and is confident these funds will bolster those efforts.
More information on UNODC’s work combating cybercrime is available on the UNODC website at https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/cybercrime/global-programme-cybercrime.html
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Please direct any inquiries to UNVIEpress@state.gov
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