unodc's urban safety governance initiative aims to make urban environments safe, inclusive and resilient by addressing the multi-causal factors of violence, crime and insecurity. in addition to strengthening the role of cities in dealing with crime and violence, the global programme also emphasizes on building resilience of communities.
urbanisation is closely linked with increases in economic and social development. yet, alongside all the growth and advancement taking place, cities across the globe are undermined by chronic insecurity, violence and corruption, including those resulting from crime challenges originating beyond urban or national boundaries. the security challenges of individual cities are increasingly a result of the intersection of individual vulnerabilities, local risks and illicit flows from across national borders.
unodc identified the need for more effective and evidence-based interventions at the urban level to strengthen resilience of communities to crime and violence, as well as to reduce their vulnerabilities to transnational illicit flows (like trafficking of persons, drugs, illicit financial flows, firearms and counterfeit goods). with two-thirds of the world population expected to reside in cities by 2050, these challenges will only continue to become more acute in urban settlements world over.
the un comprehensive response to covid-19 - launched by the un secretary-general, the policy brief calls for conscious policy choices in order to save lives, protect societies, recover better... read more & watch
covid-19 response & Complex Emergencies - unodc co-convened the thematic session: 'bolstering local action to control the pandemic and accelerate implementation' ahead of the high level political forum 2020... read more
urban safety governance assessments in chilanzar - unodc’s urban safety governance assessment is currently underway and results of the assessment are expected in the third quarter of 2020... read more
newsroomunodc's safety governance approach, based on the urban safety governance assessments, ensures that crime prevention and community safety strategies, policies, and programmes are tailored to meet grassroots needs and take account of the interface between global crime threats and local vulnerabilities towards the achievement of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the new urban agenda... read more
the covid-19 pandemic has added unprecedented challenges for cities. the recovery phase is an opportunity for all levels of government to build back more inclusive, equal, resilient and sustainable societies. unodc co-convened the thematic session: 'bolstering local action to control the pandemic and accelerate implementation'. the session considered the changing nature of urbanization challenges and implications of the pandemic for urban planning and resilience strategies, how to promote transformative action at the local level, and empower local actors to make cities more productive, sustainable and equitable.
response tool: rapid usg assessment guide (en) (es) (ru)
in mexico city, given the size of the city, a specific neighbourhood called iztapalapa, has been selected. this neighbourhood has its own local major who has shown her full commitment to this initiative... read more
in tashkent, the programme will assist the government of uzbekistan within the framework of its own 'safe city' initiative to address risks at urban level, protect the population and territories from emergencies, enhance public safety, rule of law, fire, road and environmental safety... read more
in nairobi, kenya's largest city with a population of nearly 4 million people, the programme can compliment existing work that is being done by the nairobi county government in partnership with un habitat and other partners... read more
safety governance assessment guide (en) (es) (ru)
response tool: rapid usg assessment guide (en) (es) (ru)
visit the safety audit websites of queretaro and cali
see the family skills training programmes in low- and middle-income countries
visit the unodc crime prevention webpages
