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On November 8 and 9, 2022, in Astana, Kazakhstan, within the framework of the UNODC Regional Program for Afghanistan and neighboring countries (Regional Program), a regular meeting of the Regional Working Group on Forensics and Illicit Drugs was held. The meeting brought together senior forensic experts and law enforcement officials to share best practices in drug analysis and investigation, as well as to plan regional operations and develop joint regional drug investigations. The meeting was attended by 28 experts and officials from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) and representatives of the Laboratory and Scientific Support Section (LSS) of UNODC.

At the meeting, the participants shared information about the drug situation in 2021-2022 and major seizures of drugs, spoke about the activities of national forensic laboratories and drug examinations carried out, as well as about the technical aspects and problems of forensic medical examination of new psychoactive substances (NPS).

As a result of the meeting, the countries made proposals for further strengthening regional cooperation in the field of forensic medical examination and countering drug trafficking, expressed interest in joining the UNODC International Joint Exercises (ICE). Participants stressed the importance and success of the now annual Operation Reflex to counter NPS and synthetic drugs, which is coordinated through CARICC and supported by the UNODC Regional Program. In addition, countries emphasized the need for advanced training courses for forensic experts.

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According to invitation of the Executive Committee of the SCO RATS, the delegation of CARICC, consisting of Director A. Yazlyev and Advisor/Head of the Information analytical division A. Erkaboev, took part at the Eighth International Conference on Cooperation in the Field of Combating International Terrorism and Extremism between the SCO Member States and Observer States (November 8-9, 2022, Tashkent).

During the event the issues of national experience and international cooperation in the field of countering terrorism and extremism in the SCO member states were discussed. In addition, measures to counteract the spread of terrorist and extremist ideology and the use of achievements of information and communication technologies for terrorist and extremist purposes were discussed.

During his speech, CARICC Director A. Yazlyev drew attention to the relationship between terrorism and drug trafficking and proposed to intensify the interaction between CARICC and the SCO RATS Executive Committee through the exchange of information and the study of urgent problems on this issue.

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On November 2, 2022, in Almaty, a meeting was held between the Joint Working Group of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

At the meeting, the participants exchanged views on the emerging drug situation in the Central Asian region and Afghanistan in 2021 and the first half of 2022. Topical problems of the relationship between terrorism and drug trafficking, including in the field of financing terrorism with funds obtained from drug trafficking, are considered.

 As a result of the event, relevant recommendations were prepared for the competent authorities of the RATS SCO and CARICC member states.

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On October 27, 2022, on the basis of CARICC, the regular annual working meeting of the steering committees established under the UNODC component of the Border Cooperation Program in Central Asia was held in a hybrid format.

The working meeting was attended by representatives of border agencies, customs services, ministries of internal and foreign affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as experts from the UNODC Program Offices in Central Asia and CARICC.

During this event, the UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, Ms. Ashita Mittal, the Director of CARICC, Mr. Miralizoda Rustam Aziz, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Jun Yamada, delivered a welcoming speech.

The session was moderated by the International Coordinator of the UNODC Program in Central Asia, Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov.

During the meeting, delegations provided information on the implementation of the UNODC Program component and its impact on the situation in the field of border security and cross-border cooperation in the region, the activities of the established centers for coordination and monitoring of border interaction offices, as well as information on the results achieved, including planned activities provided under the Border Cooperation Component.

As a result of the event, the main priorities of the competent authorities of the Central Asian states to strengthen state borders were identified, recommendations were developed containing regional responses, including a strategy and joint action plans, including the further development of the UNODC Program component using the potential of CARICC.

The participants stressed the importance of interaction through the expansion of international cooperation, the exchange of positive experience and the further development of relations in the field of border security and combating transnational drug crime.

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On October 26, 2022 in Almaty, the CARICC delegation headed by the Acting Director Mr. Yazlyev A.O. took part in the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Program of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime for the countries of Central Asia for 2022-2025.

This meeting was organized by the Regional Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Central Asia with the assistance of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The main purpose of the event was to discuss the main achievements of the UNODC Program for Central Asia in 2021-2022, as well as agree on the Work Plan for 2023 under the Program.

The event was attended by heads and employees of prosecution authorities, border agencies, customs services, ministries of internal and foreign affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, international partners, donors, as well as experts from the UNODC Program Offices in Central Asia and CARICC.

Welcoming remarks were made by the UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, Ms. Ashita Mittal, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kairat Umarov, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, Ms. Michaela Friberg-Storey.

The experts of the UNODC Program Offices in Central Asia presented the project Action Plans for 2023 for the implementation of the five components of the UNODC Program for the countries of Central Asia for 2022-2025.

In addition, the participants and heads of delegations presented presentations and reports on the main areas of cooperation with UNODC, in particular, the provision of advisory and logistical assistance, including the organization of training seminars and training sessions for employees of the competent authorities in the region, as well as a number of proposals for consideration and their possible inclusion in the draft UNODC 2023 Action Plan.

The participants emphasized the importance of interaction through the expansion of international cooperation, the exchange of positive experience and the further development of relations in the field of combating transnational organized crime.

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On October 25, 2022, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (CARICC) hosted a meeting of CARICC staff with the expert of the Monitoring Group for Analytical Support and Enforcement of Sanctions of the UN Security Council Mr. Ashetov Talgat.

Analysts of the Information and Analytical Division, Mr. Anuar Yergazin and Mr. Avazzoda Barzu, as well as a specialist of the Division to coordinate international operations, including controlled deliveries, Mr. Elzod Rakhmatov, took part from CARICC.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged information on the ongoing work to combat drug trafficking, including in terms of the latest trends taking place on drug trafficking routes from Afghanistan, as well as countering terrorism.

In addition, CARICC analyst Mr. Avazzoda Barzu showed a presentation on the topic: “The drug situation in Afghanistan and Central Asian countries in 2021”.

The meeting participants also discussed a number of current and future issues which are in the mutual interest.

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The delegation of the CARICC headed by the Director of the CARICC, Major General of Militia  Miralizoda Rustam Aziz participated in the Paris Pact Expert Working Group meeting on Precursors, which took place on October 24-25, 2022 in Bucharest, Romania.

The meeting reviewed current trends, routes and methods of smuggling precursor chemicals used in the production of heroin and methamphetamine.

Director of CARICC informed about the latest trends in seizures of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors in Central Asia. He drew attention to the growth of drug production in Afghanistan, which is confirmed by the increase in seizures of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors in the CARICC member States. He noted that the analysis of trends in the development of the drug situation in the space of the CARICC member states predicts its further development.

In order to intensify measures to prevent the illicit trafficking of precursors in the region and their supply to Afghanistan, Director of CARICC proposed a number of recommendations:

  1. Conducting training courses for law enforcement officers of the region on the identification and suppression of illicit trafficking in precursors.
  2. Establishment of close regional and international cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking of precursors, including within the framework of the Regional Operation "Substitution".
  3. Regular exchange of information in real time between competent authorities for an efficient response and prevention of leaks of chemical precursors.
  4. Establishing interaction of law enforcement agencies with firms/manufacturers of precursors to prevent leakage of precursors.
  5. Organization of trainings on control delivery operations of precursors in Central Asia with the participation of the competent authorities of the CARICC member States.
  6. Strengthening control measures over the production (import/export/transit) of precursors in order to prevent their illegal import into Afghanistan.

At the end of the meeting, participants adopted the recommendations of the Paris Pact working group of experts on precursors.

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From October 17 to 21, 2022, the 11th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNCT) took place in a hybrid format, at which about 1,500 participants from 131 countries, including 22 international organizations and 193 civil society organizations, registered.

At this event in an online format, CARICC analyst Komilzoda Sh. took part.

Ms. Gada Wali, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, addressed the participants of the event with a welcoming speech.

In her presentation, the representative of UNODC emphasized that “UNOCT and its Protocols are powerful tools for building the resilience of States and societies to crime. It's time to step up their implementation."

The event considered a number of thematic resolutions, including the implementation of provisions on international cooperation, technical assistance to prevent and combat transnational organized crime that damages the environment.

Among other thematic issues, the Conference of the Parties considered strengthening international cooperation in combating all forms of transnational organized crime, including human trafficking, smuggling of migrants, trafficking in firearms, cybercrime, financial and environmental crimes.

The participants exchanged views, stressed the importance of close international cooperation in combating transnational organized crime and terrorism between law enforcement agencies and international partners.

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