United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Senior Division

Topics

Topic 1: Addressing Corruption as a Driver of Organised Crime in the Black Sea Region

[Insert description]

Topic 2: Combating the Illicit Use of Encrypted Communications Platforms

Although they are not specifically designed for criminal use, the rise of encrypted, instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal into the mainstream has helped facilitate illegal operations on both the international and the local level, as well as remove or minimise barriers and risks associated with acquiring illicit drugs. Governments and international organisations have to grapple with the delicate balancing act between detecting and intercepting illegal operations and preserving the privacy and data security of regular citizens. Attempts to mandate the companies controlling these apps create a backdoor in their encryption for judicial and police authorities have been met with widespread pushback and expert concerns and have thus far been unsuccessful.

Chairs

Main Chair

[Insert main chair]

Vice-Chair

[Insert vice-chair]