CARICC Director Colonel Makhmud Khamidov met with Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Lieutenant General Yerzhan Sadenov during his visit to Astana on 11 October 2025.

At the beginning, CARICC Director thanked the Minister of Internal Affairs for comprehensive support in implementing the Centre's mandate to facilitate and execute counter-narcotics operations and to exchange information on drug situation. He highlighted the role of the Ministry of Internal Affairs as the competent central authority of the Republic of Kazakhstan coordinating cooperation with CARICC at national level.

Mr. Khamidov presented a set of initiatives aimed at improving the Centre's organizational structure and launching new areas of work, including in the field of countering cyber threats and the spread of synthetic drugs, to further enhance the Centre's effectiveness. He also mentioned upgrading information and analytical resources, reinforcing financial stability, and expanding the geography of CARICC's international cooperation.

Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov highly evaluated the Centre's performance, marking its significant contribution to coordination of counter-narcotics cooperation at regional level, and reaffirmed readiness to extend further support to CARICC initiatives. Kazakhstan side indicated interest in regular participation by the leadership of the Centre in relevant events organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

At the end of the meeting, parties agreed to step up practical cooperation in a number of priority areas and confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening cooperation between CARICC and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

A working meeting between representatives of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) and the Committee for Legal Statistics and Special Records of the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held online on 14 October 2025.

This meeting was a follow-up to agreements reached during official visit of CARICC Director M. Khamidov to Astana on 10 October 2025. Main topic of discussion was expansion of cooperation in analytical activities and digitalization of mechanisms to combat drug crime, including in cyberspace.

Parties expressed interest in enhancing information exchange, including exchange of consolidated statistics, forensic reports, and operationally relevant information for preparation of comprehensive regional reviews and drug threat assessments. Particular attention was paid to ensuring comparability, relevance, and applicability of data in practical work of law enforcement agencies.

Committee's information on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies in legal statistics system, including the ability to predict risks, monitor digital platforms, and identify new synthetic drugs, was of particular interest. CARICC expressed readiness to adapt similar solutions at the regional level.

They discussed interaction mechanisms based on the National Interagency Targeting Center and the Centralized Database, including potential connectivity to CARICC analytical modules. The sides confirmed their intention to work on joint modernization of these resources, including ensuring cross-access to relevant information systems in compliance with confidentiality requirements.

Participants discussed possible signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CARICC and the Committee and preparation of a joint Action Plan for 2026 (so-called Roadmap). It is expected that the document will cover analytical, scientific, and educational areas of activity.

The meeting took place in a constructive and professional atmosphere, demonstrating mutual interest of both parties in building a sustainable analytical partnership. Following the dialogue, the parties agreed to begin coordinating the draft Memorandum and technical specifications of the Roadmap. Particular emphasis will be placed on integrating analytics, AI, and forecasting into the practice of combating drug crime, including in cross-border and digital dimensions.

A working meeting between representatives of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) and the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies under the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held online on 14 October 2025. It was a logical follow-up to agreements reached during CARICC leadership's visit to Astana on 10 October 2025.

Participants focused primarily on developing analytical and scientific-methodological expertise within both organizations to strengthen effectiveness of countering drug crime, particularly in light of growing threats in cyberspace.

Key topics of the meeting included:

- expanding bilateral cooperation in combating drug trafficking using digital platforms and internet resources;

- introduction of joint analytical mechanisms for monitoring and identifying drug threats in cyber space;

- shaping institutional framework for cooperation: provisions of draft Memorandum/Agreement on Cooperation and draft Plan of Practical Measures (“Roadmap”) for 2026 were discussed;

- preparation of joint research and information-analytical publications, including for subsequent use in law enforcement practice in CARICC participating countries;

- identification of priority areas for future training and practical activities, including training courses and simulation exercises at the Academy and CARICC.

Parties expressed their mutual interest in forming a sustainable expert dialogue, exchanging methodologies, and jointly developing evidence-based approaches to combating drug crime in cross-border and digital dimensions.

It is planned to align texts of key documents regulating cooperation in the nearest future and to start preparation of joint events for 2026.

International scientific and practical conference “A Future Without Drugs” was held at the Almaty Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan named after Makan Esbulatov in Almaty on 10 October 2025.

The event was organized jointly with the Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Office in Almaty

The event gathered law enforcement officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, and experts from international organizations.

The conference addressed the problem of the spread of synthetic drugs, including via the Internet.

CARICC representative briefed on activities of the Centre as a regional intergovernmental body assisting in organization and coordination of international operations to combat illicit drug trafficking. He highlighted emerging drug situation in Central Asia with regard to synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS).

He also presented an initiative by CARICC and the UNODC Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran, and Pakistan to develop and implement a pilot phase of a regional early warning system for synthetic drugs and NPS in Central Asia.

Discussions resulted in developing priority areas for multilateral cooperation on effectively countering international drug crime.