Vienna, Mar 17 (V7N) – Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed held a bilateral meeting with John Brandolino, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to discuss ways to enhance Bangladesh’s police reform efforts and strengthen technical and strategic cooperation in drug control.

The meeting took place in the conference room of the ‘M-Building’ at the Vienna International Center on Monday afternoon, on the sidelines of the ongoing Global Fraud Summit.

At the start of the meeting, Home Minister Ahmed expressed gratitude for UNODC’s long-standing support in areas including drug control, human trafficking prevention, money laundering, and combating cybercrime. He called UNODC one of Bangladesh’s most trusted international partners in the evolving global context of crime.

Ahmed highlighted the government’s comprehensive police reform program, emphasizing the goal of building a modern, professional, and people-friendly police force. He requested UNODC’s technical assistance, policy guidance, and global expertise to upgrade the reform process to international standards.

The Home Minister also acknowledged UNODC’s contributions during the recently concluded 2026 national elections, noting the organization’s training of 89 Superintendents of Police and 574 Officers-in-Charge, as well as the preparation of an electoral handbook, which significantly helped maintain law and order.

UNODC Executive Director John Brandolino praised Bangladesh’s commitment to modernizing its security sector and controlling crime, pledging to further strengthen cooperation in the future. Representatives of the Bangladesh diplomatic mission in Vienna attended the meeting.

END/SMA/AJ