From National Data to Global Insights on Drugs and Crime

Producing and disseminating high-quality statistics on drugs, crime and criminal justice systems is a core part of the mandate of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Through five international data collection mechanisms, UNODC works with Member States to transform national data into internationally comparable evidence that informs policymaking, monitors progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthens the understanding of increasingly complex and transnational threats.

With this objective, UNODC convened national focal points, national statistical offices and authorities responsible for supplying official information to launch the 2026–2027 data collection cycle and present the latest methodological developments across its reporting instruments.

Opening the briefing, Markus Schwabe, Statistician at the Data, Analytics and Statistics Section (DASS) of UNODC, emphasized that the quality of global analyses depends directly on the timeliness, consistency and comparability of the information provided by Member States. As illicit markets evolve and criminal networks become increasingly sophisticated, statistical systems must adapt to meet new information needs.

Martijn Kind, Statistician at UNODC, presented the latest updates to the Annual Report Questionnaire (ARQ), the United Nations' primary instrument for monitoring global drug markets. New modules introduced for the 2026 cycle cover prisons, acute intoxications and non-fatal overdoses, essential treatment services, alternative development and new psychoactive substances, strengthening countries' capacity to understand emerging phenomena that are reshaping drug markets.

Milos Miljanovic, Data Scientist at DASS-UNODC, highlighted the growing importance of the Individual Drug Seizures (IDS) system, which captures information at the level of individual seizure events. By documenting trafficking routes, concealment methods, transportation mechanisms and other operational elements, the system provides new opportunities to better understand illicit markets and criminal supply chains.

On crime and criminal justice statistics, Pablo Martínez of the Organization of American States (OAS) presented the United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (UN-CTS), one of the world's most comprehensive sources of information on homicide, policing, prosecution services, courts, prison systems and victimization surveys. The incorporation of metadata further strengthens the interpretation and comparability of international crime statistics.

Adriana Oropeza, Coordinator of the UNODC-INEGI Centre of Excellence, presented the data collection process for the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP). The questionnaire gathers information on detected victims, persons investigated, prosecuted and convicted, as well as forms of exploitation and victim profiles across more than 150 countries. This information constitutes one of the world's most comprehensive repositories for understanding trafficking patterns and supporting strategies for prevention, protection and criminal justice responses. The evidence collected through this cycle will contribute to the next edition of the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, scheduled for publication in November 2026..

The session concluded with a presentation by Andrea Oterova on the methodological revisions introduced in the United Nations Illicit Arms Flows Questionnaire (UN-IAFQ). The updated structure seeks to simplify reporting processes while improving the quality and granularity of information related to firearms trafficking, supporting the monitoring of Sustainable Development Goal indicator 16.4.2.

Beyond the individual instruments, the overarching message was clear: global studies on drugs, homicide, trafficking in persons and illicit arms flows are built upon information provided by Member States. In an environment characterized by increasingly dynamic and interconnected threats, strong statistical systems are not merely technical assets—they are essential components of international cooperation and effective evidence-based responses to organized crime.

Throughout the session, David Rausis, from the UNODC Data, Analytics and Statistics Section (DASS), addressed operational questions raised by participants, providing guidance on reporting procedures, access to questionnaires and reporting platforms, the continuous data validation process and the support mechanisms available to national focal points.

The 2026–2027 data collection cycle is now underway, with 31 July 2026 established as the reporting deadline. National focal points and reporting authorities can find additional information on UNODC data collections at:

https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/data-collections.html

For questions regarding the reporting process, countries may contact the UNODC Data, Analytics and Statistics Section at unodc-stats@un.org, or the UNODC-INEGI Centre of Excellence for Latin America and the Caribbean at unodc-mexico.cde.estadistica@un.org.

Porque las mejores políticas comienzan con mejores datos, y la evidencia global comienza con los datos nacionales.