This report presents an overview of all organised crime-related activities of the OSCE in 2009 and provides an update on OSCE’s activities in support of the UNTOC as well as the current status of ratification of the UNTOC convention among the participating States
Organised crime activities with their increasing transnational character constitute one of the main threats to the safety and stability of all participating States throughout the whole OSCE area. Whereas “traditional” organised crime activities, such as drug trafficking or money laundering, are still relevant, one can notice diversification and expansion of these activities into new areas through a change in their scope and use of new technologies. Therefore, the challenge posed by these types of crimes becomes more complex, multi-faceted and omnipresent.
The reports on organised crime activities have become very important documents in terms of identifying the focus of field operations, institutions and thematic units in the Secretariat with regard to their anti-organised crime projects in a specific period of time, usually a year. The reports compile information obtained from the OSCE executive structures and provide an overview of the different cross-dimensional activities. In 2009, the OSCE executive structures centred on various thematic areas of organised crime, including support and promotion of the “United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime” (UNTOC), as well as support of Afghanistan in the fight against drug trafficking.