Legal Experts Group Meeting (LEGM) of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Athens 23-25.9.2026

https://www.athenspil.law.uoa.gr/news_and_events/view_announcement/legal_experts_group_meeting_legm_of_the_un_office_on_drugs_and_crime_unodc_athens_23_2592026

On 23–25 September 2026, the Athens PIL Center and the School of Law of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens had the great honour of hosting at the premises of the University the annual Legal Experts Group Meeting (LEGM) of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Border Management Branch (Global Maritime Crime Programme).

It was the first time that such a high-profile event was organized in Greece, and specifically at the University of Athens. During these three days, internationally renowned academics, esteemed practitioners, and judicial authorities -among them His Excellency, the Minister of Justice of the Union of the Comoros, Mohamed Nourouddine Afraitane-had the opportunity to discuss contemporary threats to maritime security, such as the protection of submarine cables, substandard vessels, the use of drones in maritime law enforcement, and the fight against transnational organized crime in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Professor Konstantinos Christodoulou, Dean of the Law School, and Professor Maria Gavouneli, Deputy Director of the Athens PIL, addressed the LEGM during the opening session. Associate Professor Georgios Kyriakopoulos, Vice-Dean of the Law School, and Assistant Professor Efthymios (Akis) Papastavridis participated actively in the meeting, presenting their research on aerial drones and submarine cables, respectively.

We warmly thank the UNODC Border Management Branch for trusting our University with the organization of the LEGM, as well as the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos for kindly granting the use of the Senate Hall for the meeting. Finally, we express our sincere appreciation to all participants for their active engagement in what proved to be a highly successful meeting.