During the visit to Doha (Qatar) of the CARICC delegation headed by the Director, Major General of Militia Miralizoda Rustam Aziz, a working meeting was held with the leadership and responsible staff of the Criminal Information Center for Combating Drugs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC-CIC).

The event also attended the international project coordinator of the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov.

The parties presented information on the current activities of the two centers in the regions of the Arab States of the Gulf and Central Asia, and also discussed the drug situation in the member countries of their organizations.

The head of the International cooperation Department of the GCC-CIC Mr. Khaled Alsallal informed about the joint activities in the counternarcotic field, and also highlighted in detail the main activities of his organization.

Mr. A. Erkaboev, Advisor/Head of the Information and Analytical Division of CARICC, made a presentation on the results achieved by the Center in organizing and conducting joint anti-drug activities, and also highlighted the information and analytical direction of the Center's activities.

Director of GCC-CIC Mr. Saqr bin Rashid Al Muraikhi highly appreciated the ongoing work of CARICC in the area of ​​assistance in coordinating and conducting joint anti-drug operations.

The parties stressed the importance of building up bilateral cooperation against the backdrop of a rapidly changing drug situation and an increase in seizures of drugs in their regions.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to prepare an Action Plan for the implementation of the points of the Memorandum of Understanding between the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf and CARICC, signed on the eve of the working meeting.

Director of CARICC invited the Director of the GCC-CC to Almaty to sign the specified Action Plan and discuss the next steps of cooperation in the anti-drug sphere.

Miralizoda Rustam Aziz made an entry in the book of honored guests of the Criminal Information Center for Combating Drugs with the wishes of success in the work to fight against international drug trafficking.

On March 7, 2022, in Doha (Qatar), a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (CARICC) and the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf represented by the Criminal Information Center to Combat Drugs (GCC-CIC).

The document was signed at the level of the Director of CARICC, Major General of Militia Miralizoda Rustam Aziz and the Director of GCC-CIC, Brigadier General Saqr bin Rashid Al Muraihi.

Under the Memorandum, the parties can exchange relevant information, assist in organizing, conducting and coordinating activities to combat organized cross-border drug crime, as well as participate in joint working meetings, consultations and training courses.

The Parties act as permanent regional information and coordination interstate bodies that assist in organizing, conducting and coordinating joint international operations to combat drug trafficking, as well as collect, store, protect, analyze and exchange information related to illegal drug trafficking.

The GCC-CIC was established in 2007 and headquartered in Doha, Qatar, to assist the efforts of the Gulf countries in the fight against illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and the control of precursors.

In the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, on March 3-4 this year, with the participation of representatives of Central Asian countries and a wide range of international organizations, a high-level international conference "Regional cooperation between the states of Central Asia in the framework of a joint action plan for the implementation of the UN global counter-terrorism strategy" was held.

During the event, the participants strongly condemned terrorism in all its manifestations, as it is one of the most serious threats to peace and security. This thesis is enshrined in the Tashkent Declaration on 3^rd of March by its participants.

The countries that signed the document agreed to continue efforts to promote professional, interethnic and intercultural tolerance and dialogue, as well as to prevent discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion. “Terrorism should not and cannot be associated with any religion, nationality or ethnic group,” the document says.

In addition, the declaration notes that Central Asia has become the first region to develop a regional action plan for the implementation of the UN global counter-terrorism strategy and assume obligations for its implementation.

On the margins of the conference, the delegation of CARICC headed by its Director Major General of Militia Miralizoda R.A. held a number of meetings with international partners on expanding cooperation.

Representatives of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, Ms. Albina Yakubova and Mr. Otabek Rashidov, were informed about the current activities of CARICC, its prospects and plans for further organization of work in the main areas of the anti-drug track.

The methods and mechanisms of interaction developed by the Center in the practical plane with the member states and international organizations were especially emphasized. In this vein, it is noted that due to this, it is advisable to consider the possibility of using the potential of CARICC not only in the fight against drugs, but also in countering international organized crime, terrorism, extremism, human trafficking and cybercrime.

Also, colleagues from the OSCE were informed about the ongoing work to expand membership in CARICC, including the acquisition of observer status by Iran and Sweden, as well as the study of the issue of Turkey joining it.

As a result of the meeting, agreements were reached on the continuation and further development of close contacts between CARICC and the OSCE in the field of combating transnational crime, holding joint events, including on issues of donor assistance.

In the context of the development of the situation in Afghanistan, a meeting was held with the UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, Ms. Ashita Mitall.

Director of CARICC Mr. Miralizoda R.A. noted that the Center closely monitors its development in the context of new challenges and threats of drug trafficking not only for Central Asia, but for the whole world.

Following in the footsteps of the decisions of the heads of member states, CARICC conducted and sent to all states and international organizations for practical use an in-depth analysis of the situation in Afghanistan.

It provides for an assessment of new challenges, threats and risks of drug trafficking, as well as a forecast and prospects for the development of the drug situation in Afghanistan and neighboring countries.

In this context, the importance of expanding cooperation between CARICC and the states of the region and international organizations was emphasized.

A special role in the implementation of existing initiatives should be played by proper funding of CARICC, both through voluntary contributions from the member states, and taking into account donor countries and potential partners.

Ms. A. Mitall also noted the achievements of CARICC and the results of its activities and emphasized the importance of the Center on the anti-drug track in the Central Asian region.

Among the important priorities, she also identified the need for sufficient funding for the Center, which is the key to its development and is consistent with the main directions for the implementation of the main UNODC programs in the region.

As a result, a number of decisions were made aimed at expanding cooperation in the format of CARICC and UNODC, as well as taking joint measures to ensure sufficient funding for the activities of the Center.

On March 3, 2022, a webinar “International drug trafficking: Area of​distribution, current channels of transportation” was held in the form of a videoconference, organized by the Regional Office for Institutional Development of the European Region of the World Customs Organization (ROCB), which was attended by representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (CARICC), the Anti-Drug Training Academy (NEA) in Turkey, the OSCE Program Office in Bishkek, the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and representatives of the customs services of the states of the European region.

The head of the ROCB, Mr. Eser Chengel, and the Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Asker Abdullayev, addressed the participants of the webinar with welcoming words.

In his presentations, the representative of UNODC highlighted some aspects of drug trafficking before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic at the regional and global level.

Analyst of the IAP CARICC, Ms. Tatiana Evdokimova, made a presentation to the webinar participants on international drug trafficking, taking into account the modern assessment of the drug threat from Afghanistan and the current channels for transporting drugs of Afghan origin, as well as the latest trends in the fight against drug trafficking.

Representatives of Turkey, the OSCE Program Office in Bishkek and the Intelligence and Investigation Department of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan also spoke at the webinar.

The participants addressed the organizers and international experts with questions, an exchange of views took place, the importance of close international cooperation in the anti-drug sphere between customs structures and international partners was emphasized.