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CARICC participates in CASC Network Plenary Meeting
Plenary Meeting of the Network of Prosecutors and Central Authorities from Source, Transit and Destination Countries in response to Transnational Organized Crime in Central Asia and the South Caucasus (CASC Network), attended by representatives of CARICC, took place on 25 and 26 February 2021 via videoconference.
CASC Network is a UNODC initiative in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, which aims to help improve international cooperation in criminal cases under investigation and to coordinate and establish contacts between prosecutors' offices of participating countries and prosecutors' offices of countries that are not members of the Network.
More than 50 participants were registered for the meeting, representing 8 member countries of the CASC Network, 10 invited countries as well as 7 international organizations and UNODC projects.
Mrs. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, delivered welcome remarks, noting the importance of developing international cooperation in countering crime.
The meeting discussed further steps for cooperation within the CASC Network and work plan for 2021, expanding interregional cooperation on criminal cases under investigation, sharing best practices and views on specific issues, including human trafficking, drug trafficking, asset recovery, and other relevant topics.
Centre employees offered a presentation on “CARICC: a Platform for International and Regional Cooperation”, which, among other things, demonstrated the Centre's existing capacity to assist in criminal investigations related to countering transnational organized crime.
Training course on use of specialized software for information collection and analysis
Staff member of CARICC Information and Analytical Unit and a research and liaison officer of the Paris Pact Initiative of the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia delivered a training on “Use of specialized software data collection and analysis” to personnel of the Situation Center of the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan from 16 to 19 February 2021. The training course was held in a hybrid format and included lecture and practical sessions.
During practical sessions participants improved their skills in Microsoft Excel, which will be used in their analytical work in the future.
The training was conducted under Border Cooperation Component of Sub-Programme 1 “Countering transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and preventing terrorism” of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia. The component is funded by the Government of Japan.
Working meeting between CARICC Director and representatives of the EU LEICA project
Mr. Rustam Miralizoda, CARICC Director, had a meeting with Mr. Emmanuel Gravier, Security and Counterterrorism Coordinator for Central Asia at the European Union Delegation in Bishkek, and Mr. Jerome Ribault-Gaillard, Director of the EU Project LEICA, at the Centre on 12 February 2021.
Participants included heads of CARICC units and Centre personnel and members of the European Union Delegation.
During the visit Mr. E. Gravier informed of main goals and directions of the LEICA project, including attraction of highly qualified specialists, experts to deliver trainings on counterterrorism and anti-extremism topics, organization of study tours for advanced training of officials involved in countering terrorism and extremism as well as plans for further productive cooperation under the European Union project.
In turn, CARICC Director briefed the interlocutor on prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination, with consideration of CARICC and LEICA project capacities.
The two sides also indicated their readiness to work together within existing mandates and to collaborate actively and productively.
Meeting resulted in agreement to jointly organize training and workshops for law enforcement officers in the Central Asian region on combating terrorism financing via proceeds derived from drug trafficking.
CARICC Director meets Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Republic of Tajikistan
Mr. Rustam Miralizoda, CARICC Director, met with Mr. Muzaffar Huseinzoda, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, in Dushanbe on 15 January 2021.
During meeting CARICC Director informed about current situation in the Centre, prospects for enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation and joint collaboration through regional and international organizations.
The parties also discussed accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Republic of Turkey to the Agreement on CARICC, the Centre work on review and coordination of draft agreement between CARICC Member States on exchange and protection of secret information and other challenges on cooperation of parties in combating illicit drug trafficking and development perspectives.
Working meeting between CARICC Director and Director of the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan
On 14 January 2021 in Dushanbe, Major-General Rustam Miralizoda, CARICC Director, met with State Counselor 3rd Class Habibullo Vohidzoda, Director of the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.
During the meeting they discussed CARICC cooperation with national coordinating body of Tajikistan as well as the use of the Centre's capacity in assisting regional anti-drug collaboration. Director of the Agency presented information on drug situation in the Republic of Tajikistan.
The following topics were discussed during the conversation: accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Republic of Turkey to the Agreement on establishment of CARICC, activities of the Centre to review and negotiate draft Agreement between CARICC Member States on exchange and protection of secret information, funding for further functioning of the Centre by Member States and other tasks facing the Centre on cooperation of the parties in combating illicit drug trafficking.
During his visit to the Republic of Tajikistan CARICC Director also met with Colonel-General R.H. Rahimzoda, Minister of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan.
CARICC take part in Paris Pact Initiative Expert Working Group online meeting
A Paris Pact Initiative Expert Working Group (EWG) meeting in support of Pillar IV of the Vienna Declaration: Investing in families for effective drug prevention and treatment was held on 15 and 16 December 2020.
The meeting was run in a hybrid format, with CARICC participating online as an observer. More than 70 participants representing 27 Paris Pact partner states and 7 partner organizations registered for the Paris Pact EWG meeting.
Mr. Andrés Finguerut, Chief of the Drug Prevention and Health Branch of the UNODC Division for Operations, and Mr. Riku Lehtovuori, Paris Pact Coordinator of the UNODC Division for Operations, delivered welcoming remarks.
Presentations and papers by Paris Pact partners on feasibility and needs to implement international standards of prevention of drug use and treatment of drug use disorders were then presented. Role of family in prevention and treatment of such disorders, prevention programmes aimed at teaching family skills, family therapy and providing services to families to support effective prevention in treatment of substance use disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic were also discussed.
The working group reviewed recommendations, conclusions and opinions on the topic of the meeting.
CARICC Director participates in Ninth Steering Committee Meeting of the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries
Mr. Rustam Aziz Miralizoda, CARICC Director, participated and made a presentation at the Ninth Steering Committee Meeting of the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries held via videoconference on 15 December 2020.
In his speech CARICC Director underlined that over the years of the Regional Programme implementation the Centre has become one of its main platforms for exchange of experience, expertise and research to combat transnational organized crime and briefed the meeting on the most significant aspects of CARICC efforts.
Mr. Jeremy Milsom, Senior Programme Coordinator, delegations from relevant national authorities of participating countries, coordinators of UNODC international programmes as well as representatives of donor countries and partners took part in the meeting.
During the session participants discussed plans for upcoming cycle of the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries for 2021-2025.
Online course “Preventing the spread of violent extremism in the prison context”
A webinar on “Dynamic security and prison intelligence: focus on violent extremist prisoners” for officers of operational and investigative units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan was hosted online from 10 to 12 December 2020.
CARICC employees also took part in this training.
The event was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre. It was moderated by Mr. Batyr Saparbaev, UNODC Regional Expert for Central Asia, and Ms. Madina Sarieva, International Coordinator of the UNODC Programme Office in Kazakhstan.
The webinar was composed of six sessions in which experts and trainers delivered presentations and briefed on various aspects related to the topic. Specifically, they discussed international provisions on intelligence gathering, sharing and confidentiality along with key concepts of intelligence gathering and sharing, proposals to improve data sharing process, criminal procedure legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on covert investigative actions, cooperation of penitentiary institutions and law enforcement agencies in managing violent extremist prisoners and dynamic security in prisons.
The training opened with a pre-test to preliminarily assess knowledge of the participants on the topic, and insight gained was evaluated at the end of the webinar.
Participants found the course to be highly relevant and conducive to improving professional level of law enforcement officers.
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CARICC participation in resumed 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Resumed sixty-third session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs was held at the Vienna International Centre in a hybrid format on 2, 3 and 4 December 2020.
CARICC participated in meetings online as an observer.
On 2 December, CND considered the World Health Organization recommendations on cannabis and cannabis-related substances and voted on changes in the scope of control of these substances.
United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs adopted by a majority vote the WHO recommendation to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
Along with this recommendation, five other items on relaxation of control over derivatives of this plant were discussed, but none was adopted
On 3 and 4 December this year, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held joint meetings during their reconvened sessions to consider agendas items of both Commissions, with a view to providing integrated policy directives to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on administrative, budgetary and strategic management issues.
Ms. Ghada Waly, UNODC Executive Director, addressed the opening of joint meetings of UNODC Commissions and encouraged participants to exchange more proposals as part of their consideration of the UNODC Strategy 2021-2015 as well as draft Plan for 2021.
Moreover, during the event were considered preparation for the 14th UN Congress, on adoption of consolidated budget, improvement of UNODC management and financial situation, and also was presented a report on implementation of Plan for 2020.
Course on analytical tools use
An online training on “Use of Specialized Software for Information Processing and Analysis” for officers of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan was hosted from 1 to 4 December 2020 as part of Sub-programme 1 “Countering trafficking of Afghan opiates via the northern route by enhancing the capacity of key border crossing points (BCPs) and through the establishment of border liaison offices (BLOs)” of the UNODC Regional Programme for Central Asia.
During the training, border guards reviewed main capabilities of Microsoft Excel in data collection, arrangement and analysis.
This course was delivered by a staff member of CARICC Information and Analytical Unit and a research and liaison officer of the Paris Pact Initiative of the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia.
Online course on advanced use of analytical tools
Training on “Methods of data analysis and processing with the use of different analytical tools” for officers of the Situation Center of the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held online from 23 to 27 November 2020. The purpose of this training was to provide border guards with new knowledge and skills on information processing, analysis and visualization using various analytical software tools.
Training during this course were an employee of CARICC Information and Analytical Unit and an expert from the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia, who shared their experience in using Microsoft Excel software for data collection, collation and analysis using dashboards.
Since 2019, courses on the use of various analytical tools for data processing and analysis have been attended by 86 employees of competent authorities of the Central Asian states, including 56 border guards of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 16 border guards of the Kyrgyz Republic and 14 law enforcement officers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, with support from the Government of Japan, is working to strengthen analytical capacity of law enforcement and border control agencies in the Central Asian region to respond to current threats of illicit drug trafficking and border security. Importance of comprehensive data analysis is undoubtedly a key component of effective and efficient law enforcement.
UNODC, together with CARICC, whose employees possess considerable experience in collecting, storing, protecting, analyzing and exchanging information, undertakes capacity building to combat drug trafficking for effective and efficient law enforcement in Central Asian states.
CARICC Member States Council of National Coordinators meeting
Expert meetings were held on 25-26 November 2020 to prepare for regular meeting of the Council of National Coordinators of Member States of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors, which was hosted on 27 November 2020 via videoconference.
The event was attended by representatives of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, CARICC as well as Ms. Ashita Mittal, Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for Central Asia, and Mr. Naweed Riaz, Head of UNODC Programme Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan,.
Meeting of the Council of National Coordinators of CARICC Member States discussed the most pressing issues of organization and further development of the Centre's activities.
Ms. Ashitta Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, noted the need for the Parties to increase efforts to strengthen activities of CARICC in current realities, taking into account trends in the global situation.
The most important accents were put on prioritizing issues of funding the Centre in order to ensure its effective functioning.
In this context, CARICC Director and Head of the UNODC Programme Office provided information on financial sustainability of the Centre.
Members of the Council of National Coordinators of CARICC Member States invited Parties to work out the possibility of making voluntary contributions to the Centre's budget.
In their turn, CARICC and UNODC recommended to take measures to attract new partners and donors to the Centre, including in cooperation with competent authorities of CARICC Member States.
The event resulted in adoption of decision and minutes of the meeting.
