The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in collaboration with the Government of Cambodia, and in coordination with the National Authority for the Prohibition of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Weapons (NACW), successfully held the Regional Expert-Level Workshop “Combating Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Related to Critical Minerals in Southeast Asia” on 4-5 December in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The workshop convened 30 participants from 11 countries, representing law enforcement agencies, government bodies, international organizations, and independent experts. Delegates included representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Italy, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa and Viet Nam. This event was made possible through the strong support of the Cambodian Government and the active involvement of the NACW.
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on governance challenges, regional impacts of illegal mining and associated crimes, gaps in regulatory frameworks, organized crime involvement, and related law enforcement challenges. The workshop also discussed early findings from UNICRI’s recent study on crimes associated with critical minerals in Southeast Asia, providing actionable insights for strengthening supply chain security, combating transnational crimes, and advancing sustainable practices.
A highlight of the workshop was the collaborative working group sessions, where participants identified key gaps in legal frameworks and enforcement capacities, fostering cross-sectoral dialogue. International perspectives were shared by experts from the European Space Agency (ESA), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and SICPA alongside regional authorities and civil society organizations.
UNICRI thanks all participants, the Government of Cambodia, and the National Authority for the Prohibition of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Weapons for their key roles in ensuring the workshop’s effectiveness. This event is part of UNICRI’s broader efforts to combat crimes associated with critical minerals and promote sustainable governance in Southeast Asia and beyond.
