Arab Security University Signs Deal With UN Body to Curb Drug Trafficking

RIYADH, 18 October 2004 — The Naif Arab University for Security Sciences has signed a memorandum of understanding with Geneva-based United Nations Office for Combating Drugs and Crime which will enable the university to learn more from the experience of the UN agencies within an international framework.

“The memorandum aims at enhancing scientific cooperation between the two parties to fight these social evils,” said Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Ghamdi, the university president, here yesterday. “This agreement will facilitate training of human resources to fight crime and drug trafficking on the local and regional level,” he said.

The move to endorse the new agreement is significant in view of the growing incidence of drug trafficking and crime in the region.

The Naif Arab University for Security Sciences seeks to fulfill the needs expressed by the Arab and Saudi law enforcement agencies for an academic institution that promotes research on security issues, drug-related subjects and conduct training courses that can contribute to the prevention and control of crime in the Arab countries.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia, among other Arab countries, has been doing well in terms of foiling drug smuggling attempts, treating drug addicts and also in reducing local consumption of drugs and intoxicants.

Not only this, Riyadh has also been rated as the third most important country by the UN in terms of the strength of its network of law enforcement agencies, which apply Shariah to curb drug trafficking.

Referring to the features of the new memorandum, Dr. Al-Ghamdi said: “This MoU stipulates organization of training programs within the framework of the UN’s treaty for 1988 and the UN’s treaty of combating terrorism and crime.”

“The signing of the memorandum,” he said, “comes within the framework of the existing fruitful cooperation between the university and international organizations, which will eventually help all Arab countries including Saudi Arabia.” The move is more in line with the policies of the Kingdom, which has concluded a series of agreements with Arab countries for curbing the drug menace.

This is in addition to many international accords for combating drugs signed by the Kingdom. Riyadh is also cooperating with the International Police Organization (Interpol) to combat trafficking.