CARICC Advances Initiatives to Strengthen International Cooperation and Signs Memorandum with the Law Enforcement Academy of Kazakhstan

On 12 November 2026, in Astana, a delegation of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC), headed by its Director, took part in the international conference entitled “The Constitutional Principle of ‘Law and Order’ in the Modern Legal System: Challenges, Innovations and Solutions”, organized by the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The conference brought together members of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, heads and representatives of government agencies, law enforcement and special services, international organizations, as well as members of the expert community.

As part of the conference, a panel session was held on combating cybercrime and the drug trade in a transnational context. Discussions focused on current drug threat trends, the use of digital channels for illicit drug trafficking, the links between drug-related crime and illicit financial flows, and ways to strengthen international cooperation.

In his address, the Director of CARICC provided a regional assessment of the drug situation based on official data and outlined priority areas for cooperation, including information exchange, the application of artificial intelligence technologies for the early detection of drug threats, enhancement of analytical capabilities, and the implementation of joint practical activities.

Particular attention was given to CARICC's potential as a regional platform bringing together the capabilities of national competent authorities and international and regional organizations, including United Nations entities, the OSCE, CIS, CSTO, SCO, Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG), INTERPOL, and other relevant partners.

During his address, the Director also presented a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening international cooperation. These included developing interregional cooperation with the participation of UNODC, the OSCE, SCO, OTS and other interested partners; establishing a regional information and analytical hub at CARICC using artificial intelligence technologies, alongside a training and methodological platform for professional development; and conducting coordinated international special operations, including in cyberspace.

Special attention was also paid to the prospects for cooperation between CARICC and the proposed UNODC Regional Centre for Combating Cybercrime in Astana and the proposed United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism Regional Office in Tashkent. CARICC expressed its readiness to serve as a practical platform for developing proposals concerning the establishment of these structures and their future cooperation.

An important outcome of the conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CARICC and the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The document was signed by CARICC Director Mahmud Khamidov and Rector of the Academy Nurgalym Abdirov.

The Memorandum aims to promote cooperation in the fields of information and analysis, research, training methodology and education, providing a solid foundation for further engagement and the implementation of joint initiatives.

CARICC's participation in the conference and the agreements reached provide additional opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation and consolidate joint efforts to counter transnational drug threats and related criminal activities.