Global Container Control Programme delivers first specialized CITES training in Central Asia

Bishkek, 23-25 April 2018 - In response to the request of the State Customs Service under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia conducted a specialized 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. Thirty participants from the State Customs Service including members of CCP Port Control Units, the State Agency of Environment Protection and Forestry (SAEPF), the State Inspection of Ecology and Technical Security, the International Foundations and the Hunting Companies contributed to the discussions and further strengthened inter-agency cooperation.

During opening of the training, Mr. Batyr Geldiyev, UNODC Regional Programme Coordinator stated that illicit trade of wildlife (CITES) is one of the challenges that Central Asian states face along with illicit drug trafficking and other criminal activities and require a coordinated action from Customs/Border control agencies.

The training delivered by WCO experts from Dutch and Swiss Customs, covered various thematic areas and practical exercises on CITES implementation at national and international levels, CITES documents and permits, CITES specimens' identification and sources of information including ENVIRONET, CITES related crimes, as well as risk indicators/case studies/concealments, health and safety, and interagency cooperation.

Representatives from SAEPF - CITES Management Authority in Kyrgyzstan shared updates on the situation with CITES implementation and reported an increase of issued permits for import, export and re-export of specimens under the Convention in the country. The workshop facilitated several important outcomes including strengthening inter-agency cooperation between Customs and SAEPF including data exchange on CITES permits issued by SAEPF, agreeing to implement a joint Customs-SAEPF workplan, following up with national training by SAEPF for Customs frontline officers.

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 (EXBS) Program.

***

For more information

Please, contact Mr. Kuban Ismailov, Senior Administrative Assistant

E-mail: kuban.ismailov[at]un.org

Tel.: (996)-312-32-27032