# Ethiopia Pledges Cooperation with UNODC to Combat Transnational Crime

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to combat transnational crime.

Ethiopia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, held discussions with the newly appointed UNODC Director for East Africa, Ashita Mittal. The two officials agreed to collaborate on tackling the growing threat of illicit trafficking of people, drugs, counterfeit medicine, and weapons in East Africa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that the two sides agreed to cooperate in combating contraband trade and money laundering.

The Horn of Africa, a region encompassing Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, is a melting pot of cultures and faiths. However, its diversity has often been overshadowed by a history of political instability, conflict, and human rights violations. The region's strategic location has made it a focal point for international concern, often viewed as a potential crisis zone. The Horn of Africa is known for its volatility, facing both internal conflicts and cross-border disputes, as well as global security threats.