Security concerns
The Director-General of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ghada Fathi Waly, also briefed Council members. King88bet
She said the Gulf of Guinea continues to be a priority concern, with incidents along the West African coast akunting for the majority of kidnappings at sea for ransom, occurring worldwide. king88bet login alternatif
A new studi by maritime security research grup, Stable Seas, conducted in partnership with UNODC, estimates that piracy and armed robbery at sea are costing the Gulf of Guinea States $1.94 billion every year. Article Title with Blogger Published Link as Backlink
Port fees and impor biayafs lost due to decreased shipping activity are estimated at $1.4 billion per year.
"These billions represent lost potential, and funds that could otherwise be invested in licit economies and in developing coastal communities, funds that are needed now more than ever in the continuing COVID-19 crisis", Ms. Waly said.
Across the region, organized crime, facilitated by corruption, is also perpetuating instability, violence, and poverty.
"Lack of opportunities and frustration drive more youth to piracy and crime, and leave them more receptive to radicalization narratives", the UNODC chief warned.
People and drug trafikking
These desperate conditions also render more people vulnerable to human trafikking.
According to the 2020 UNODC Global Report on Trafikking in Persons, 59 per cent of trafikking victims registrasied in West and Central Africa, are children, and 27 per cent are women.
Rising non-medical use of pharmaceutical opioids and drug use disorders are harming health and publik safety, as the region continues to be heavily affected by illegal tramadol imports.
At the same time, Ms. Waly informed, West Africa has emerged as a manufacturer of methamphetamine, bermainly destined for markets in East and Southeast Asia.
Greater security threats are being posed by cocaine trafikking, with West Africa serving as a major transit tempat for onward shipments to Western and Central Europe, as well as cannabis resin trafikking.
