About UNODC
For two decades, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been helping make the world safer from drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism. We are committed to achieving health, security and justice for all by tackling these threats and promoting peace and sustainable well-being as deterrents to them.Activities by UNODC
Improving the monitoring of illicit crop cultivation and drug production by using artificial intelligence
Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean ColombiaPeruPlurinational State of BoliviaAfghanistanLao Peopleu2019s Democratic RepublicMexicoMyanmarThe UNODC Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme (ICMP) uses GIS and geospatial analysis, satellite imagery and field surveys to monitor the extent and evolution of illicit crop cultivation and production. The project seeks to research and eventually apply (semi-) automated methods such as deep learning and big data analysis for improving area estimates for illicit crop cultivation. Moreover, research is conducted on spectral based yield information, and the early detection of illegal landing runways applying AI techniques.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsAI Tools/SolutionsPilot Study to Improve Data Collection on Illegal Fishing
Africa, Asia and the Pacific AngolaGhanaGuinea-BissauIndonesiaKenyaMaldivesMozambiqueNamibiaSomaliaSouth AfricaViet NamThe pilot project seeks to improve the data and knowledge related to incidents of illegal fishing across the world. The objective was to use innovative techniques to identify and collect new data. Generative AI’s deep research capabilities were used to identify and expand the range of relevant data sources. AI-assisted tools were used to verify and adapt to the varying structures of web pages, ensuring the web scraping process remains robust despite differences in page layouts and metadata formats across sites.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsEarth Observation and Open Source Intelligence for drugs and crime analysis
Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean CambodiaChinaLaosMyanmarThailandViet NamBrazilPeruThe partnership (EO4SECURITY) focuses on developing services for UNODC to investigate environmental crimes and illicit trafficking utilizing Earth Observation and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) data and AI processing techniques. OSINT and Large Language Models (LLMs) are leveraged to “web scrape” traditional and social media to retrieve information about the convergence of criminal activities in specific areas. After a successful conclusion of the first phase with applications in the Mekong region (illegal drug trafficking and scam cities) and Brazil (illegal deforestation and gold mining). The project was extended until 2026 focusing on Peru.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsTechnical assistanceTrainings/workshopsPilot Study to Improve Data Collection on Illegal Fishing
Africa, Asia and the Pacific AngolaGhanaGuinea-BissauIndonesiaKenyaMaldivesMozambiqueNamibiaSomaliaSouth AfricaViet NamThe pilot project seeks to improve the data and knowledge related to incidents of illegal fishing across the world. The objective was to use innovative techniques to identify and collect new data. Generative AI’s deep research capabilities were used to identify and expand the range of relevant data sources. AI-assisted tools were used to verify and adapt to the varying structures of web pages, ensuring the web scraping process remains robust despite differences in page layouts and metadata formats across sites.
Activity Type Research/Reports/Assessments