Combatting Illicit Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan under UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia conducted a specialized national training on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) under the UNODC - the World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP) in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan on 16-18 October 2019. Twenty-one officials of the State Customs Committee, Border Force of the State Security Service, including the members of the Port Control Units (PCUs), the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Environmental Protection (State Eco Committee) as well as the Community Association "Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan" took part in the event.

Similarly, a specialized national training on CITES for twenty-one officials, members of PCUs from the Customs Service, the Drug Control Agency, the Committee of the Environmental Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan and non-government organization "Protection of Nature" took place in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan, from 21-23 October 2019. The training experts were provided via WCO Environment Programme to CCP. Representatives from the donor community from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS) attended the opening of the training as well.

During training opening in Uzbekistan, Mr. Batyr Geldiyev, UNODC Regional Programme Coordinator stressed that wildlife and forest crime today has transformed into one of the largest transnational organized criminal activities alongside drug trafficking, illicit arms trade and trafficking in human beings. During training opening in Tajikistan, Mr. Yor Odina Amiriyen, Head of the Customs Institution of the Advanced Training highlighted that the CITES training will allow the officers to enhance their knowledge and skills in the fight against illegal trade in species of wild fauna and flora and pay greater attention to container/cargo controls to prevent wildlife and forest crime.

The trainings aimed at strengthening the skills of the Law Enforcement Agency`s officers, CITES national agencies and non-government organizations in fighting illicit trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, as well as developing of interagency cooperation in this field. The agenda of the training course covered various thematic areas and practical exercises on CITES implementation at national level. The Customs, Border Force and Drug Control Agency officers gained knowledge on identification of original and fake CITES documents/permits, special conditions/transportation on import or export of species under CITES, and reviewed cases on CITES related crimes including risk indicators and further case handling process.

The trainings also provided excellent opportunity to discuss the mechanisms of interagency cooperation between Border Control Agencies and National CITES agencies and NGOs in the area of fighting illicit trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora. Recommendations on follow-up joint actions have been developed including reconciliation of the CITES permits issued by National CITES agency and actual export records reported by Customs.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia is funded by the Government of Japan, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS).

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