Countries of the region discussed and developed priorities in container control

Around 50 representatives from customs and other law enforcement agencies of Afghanistan Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as international partners and donors came together to review the achievements made under the UNODC-World Customs Organization Global Container Control Programme (CCP) on Fourth regional meeting conducted at the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC). The event was organized together with the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries.

In the opening remarks Mr. Ketil Ottersen, UNODC Global Container Control Programme Coordinator stressed that "CCP countries are the priority for UNODC, since most of them are affected by heroin trafficking as the drugs are moved to their key destination markets, and   play an important role in countering drugs, crime and terrorism."

Discussions were held among experts on priority actions to be conducted under the CCP in the region. One of the most important outcomes of the meeting was the adoption of CCP Regional operation "Container Programme Chemical check-I" at the expert level by the participating countries. Furthermore, participants developed a list of recommendations that UNODC/WCO will support in the region.

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