A regular meeting of the Council of National Coordinators (CNC) of Member States of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) was held in Samarkand on 5 December 2025 under the chairmanship of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The event was held under the aegis of “CARICC 2.0: Enhancing the Organization’s Capacity to Ensure Security and Sustainable Development in the Region”.

The meeting was held in an expanded and small format.

The expanded session involved representatives of international organizations (SCO, OSCE, CSTO, CICA, EAG, GCC-CIC), diplomatic corps and foreign media accredited in Uzbekistan, members of law enforcement agencies of Central Asian countries, USA, Germany, Belarus, Iran and other states.

At the opening of the event, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Uzbekistan Bakhodir Tashmatov reported a sharp increase in drug crime in the region. Over the past five years the number of drug-related crimes in Central Asia has increased by 83%, smuggling by 55%, and the volume of seized substances by 52%. Illicit trafficking in synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine, has increased by 62%. In his speech the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Uzbekistan called on the countries of the region to strengthen operational cooperation and expand joint operations against drug trafficking.

CARICC Director and participants presented information on current drug situation in Central Asian countries and proposals for enhancing joint efforts. Presentations were also made by representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the US Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the Embassy of Afghanistan in Uzbekistan, and the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Additionally, the meeting featured a presentation of the National Program to Combat Drug Abuse and Drug Crime in Uzbekistan for 2025-2026. 

The meeting concluded with the adoption of Joint Declaration (communiqué) aimed at consolidating efforts of Central Asian states and partners in countering contemporary challenges related to illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursors.

The small meeting brought together CNC leaders and experts. They discussed ways to improve CARICC work and boost its institutional capacity, approve Action Plan (Roadmap) for 2026, set CARICC budget, and other ideas to boost cooperation within the framework of the organization.