CARICC Director A.Yazlyyev took part in extended meeting of the Coordination Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the topic “Measures on combating drug crime” on 26 June 2025 in Astana, timed to coincide with the International Day against Drug Abuse.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Administration of the President, the Government, members of Parliament, chiefs of state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, international partners, including UNODC, OSCE, CADAP, diplomatic missions of foreign countries (embassies of the USA, Germany, China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye), and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

Opening the event, General Prosecutor of the Republic of Kazakhstan Berik Asylov noted that by order of the Head of State the country is implementing a systematic anti-drug policy based on tightening criminal responsibility for organizers of drug trafficking, digitalization of mechanisms for identifying and interdicting drug channels, blocking financial flows and expanding international cooperation.

In his turn, CARICC Director cited data of official statistics over the last 5 years, which indicate deteriorating drug situation due to continuing drug trafficking and growing threat of new synthetic drugs. Total number of registered drug crimes for this period in CARICC Member States increased by 51.8%, the amount of seized drugs increased by 139.2%, and the amount of synthetic drugs increased by 63.2%. A threatening signal is an increase in detection of clandestine laboratories manufacturing synthetic and other drugs by 19.5%.

Assessing recent trends in drug situation in the region, A.Yazlyyev mentioned that it is essential to enhance effectiveness of CARICC activities through development of anti-drug cooperation using its platform.