Illicit economies, armed conflict and instability

A virtual conference hosted by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, and the United Nations University.

The relationship between illicit economies, conflict and instability has been part of the international policy agenda for some time. From the diamond trade in Sierra Leone to the heroin trade in Afghanistan, illicit economies have been shown to fund insurgencies and political actors, and to contribute to ongoing conflict. Many countries presently on the Council’s agenda have illicit economies that international actors are mandated to address. Responses to these conflicts have included a combination of national, regional and international interventions. However, international interests – multilateral and bilateral – can be different for illicit economies (particularly those linked to transnational flows) than for conflict. This event will focus on cases where armed conflict and illicit economies intersect and consider the dynamic relationship between the two.

AGENDA:

[3:00 - 3:15 PM CET] WELCOME REMARKS

Ms. Heike Thiele, Director for Crisis Prevention and Stabilisation, Federal Foreign Office of Germany

Dr. Adam Day, Director of Programmes, Centre for Policy Research, United Nations University

Event Moderator: Dr. Mark Shaw, Director, GI-TOC

[3:15 - 4:15 PM CET] PANEL ONE: ILLICIT ECONOMIES AND ARMED CONFLICT: PRESENTATIONS & POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Presentations:

Illicit Economies and Armed Conflict: 10 dynamics. Ms. Summer Walker, New York Representative, GI-TOC

Northern Mozambique Threat Assessment. Mr. Alastair Nelson, Conservationist, and Senior Analyst, Observatory of Illicit Economies in Eastern and Southern Africa, GI-TOC

Respondents: Dr. Renata Segura, Deputy Director Latin America and the Caribbean, International Crisis Group

Mr. Borges Nhamirre, Researcher, Institute for Security Studies

Prof. Ettanibi Alemika, Professor of Criminology, University of Jos, JOS, Nigeria

Ms. Lucia Bird, Director of the West Africa Observatory, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

[4:15 - 5:15 PM CET] PANEL TWO: CONSEQUENCES FOR RESPONSES AND CAPACITY BUILDING EFFORTS ON THE GROUND

Mr. Mathias Steinebach, Head of Programme, Organized Crime: West African Response to Trafficking (OCWAR-T)

Dr. Amado Philip de Andres, Regional Representative in Dakar, UNODC

Mr. Tjark Egenhoff, Resident Coordinator Guinea-Bissau, UNDP

Dr. Judith Vorrath, International Security Division, German Institute for International and Security Affairs

Ms. Gifty Mensah, Women’s Situation Room (WSR) International Coordinator (in charge of Youth) at the Angie Brooks International Centre

[5:15 - 5:30 PM CET] CLOSING REMARKS:

Mr. Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, UNODC