Norway to Work with the United Nations in Fight Against International Organised Crime

At the Special High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on 17 June 2010, Norwegian State Secretary Erik Lahnstein called for increased global cooperation to fight international organized crime.

Lahnstein emphasized the need for more knowledge about the role of financial institutions and greater transparency in relation to the international flow of capital as critical factors in the effort to unearth and seize revenue from organized criminal activity.

Lahnstein also stated that Norway will work with the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to conduct a study where the flow of capital from international organized crime will be documented in greater detail – i.e. where the money is coming from, how it’s being transferred, and how its origin and ownership are kept hidden.

To increase transparency and make it more difficult for organised criminals to hide their proceeds is one of the most effective measures of fighting organized crime, Lahnstein argued.

Source: Norway Mission to the UN