Transnational organized crime (TOC) is having an increasingly negative impact on global and internal security in Germany and Europe. From September 15 –16, 2025, the Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS) therefore organized a workshop on TOC and its consequences, including the exacerbation of crises and violent conflicts. The workshop primarily focused on global drug trafficking and its impact. The workshop’s objective was to provide further training for specialists from relevant federal authorities and to deepen their understanding of this complex phenomenon. Based on this, the participants developed the next steps for a joint approach and effective strategies against TOC, integrating both preventive and repressive measures.
TraCe PI Jonas Wolff (PRIF) participated in the event, presenting on the impact of TOC on human and state security in Latin America using Colombia and Ecuador as examples. Representatives of government agencies including the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Criminal Police Office, The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and the former Attorney General of Ecuador, also provided expert input. Non-governmental organizations such as the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, Misereor, and mafianeindanke e.V. also contributed to the knowledge exchange.