Regional Workshop on Non-governmental Stakeholders’ Engagement in Practical Application of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
On January 15-17, 2025, Ms. Seher Aftab, Gender Justice Officer at the Centre for Human Rights (CFHR) participated in the SE4U Regional Workshop on Non-Governmental Stakeholder Engagement inz the Practical Application of the UNTOC held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and implemented by UNODC. The workshop brought together 43 participants from across Asia, including representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, and the private sector. The participating countries included Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The primary objective of the workshop was to enhance the capacity and knowledge of non-governmental stakeholders in supporting the implementation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its Review Mechanism. Through panel discussions, group activities, and practical exercises, the workshop created a collaborative learning environment for participants to engage with key aspects of countering organized crime. Discussions focused on understanding the international framework of UNTOC, the practical application of its instruments, and skills-building. Sessions also highlighted the importance of mainstreaming gender and human rights in counter-organized crime interventions and explored youth engagement in developing solutions to tackle organized crime. Ms. Seher Aftab was a panelist for the Youth Engagement session, where she provided insights on solutions for youth, from youth—emphasizing not only addressing today’s challenges but also equipping young people with the tools to tackle future issues.
A key outcome of the workshop was the establishment of the Civil Society Regional Network for Asia (NET4U) , which aims to support coordination and collaboration among non-governmental stakeholders, strengthening their role in UNTOC implementation and the fight against organized crime. Similar regional networks have already been established in the Americas and Africa.
As part of this initiative, CFHR is one of the coordinators of NET4U Asia, with the network’s secretariat based in Pakistan. CFHR will coordinate the structuring and governing of the network, initiating and implementing activities, and enhancing regional cooperation.
On January 15-17, 2025, Ms. Seher Aftab, Gender Justice Officer at the Centre for Human Rights (CFHR) participated in the SE4U Regional Workshop on Non-Governmental Stakeholder Engagement inz the Practical Application of the UNTOC held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and implemented by UNODC. The workshop brought together 43 participants from across Asia, including representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, and the private sector. The participating countries included Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The primary objective of the workshop was to enhance the capacity and knowledge of non-governmental stakeholders in supporting the implementation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its Review Mechanism. Through panel discussions, group activities, and practical exercises, the workshop created a collaborative learning environment for participants to engage with key aspects of countering organized crime. Discussions focused on understanding the international framework of UNTOC, the practical application of its instruments, and skills-building. Sessions also highlighted the importance of mainstreaming gender and human rights in counter-organized crime interventions and explored youth engagement in developing solutions to tackle organized crime. Ms. Seher Aftab was a panelist for the Youth Engagement session, where she provided insights on solutions for youth, from youth—emphasizing not only addressing today’s challenges but also equipping young people with the tools to tackle future issues.
A key outcome of the workshop was the establishment of the Civil Society Regional Network for Asia (NET4U) , which aims to support coordination and collaboration among non-governmental stakeholders, strengthening their role in UNTOC implementation and the fight against organized crime. Similar regional networks have already been established in the Americas and Africa.
As part of this initiative, CFHR is one of the coordinators of NET4U Asia, with the network’s secretariat based in Pakistan. CFHR will coordinate the structuring and governing of the network, initiating and implementing activities, and enhancing regional cooperation.
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