Annual International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held on 26 June, 2010

On June 26, media representatives, representatives of state agencies and foreign embassies participated in a press conference organized by UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia and the National Information and Analytical Centre under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Journalists were provided with press kits containing information on a long-term international anti-drug campaign, the theme of the campaign, the overall drug situation in Central Asia and actions taken by the Uzbek government to combat illicit drug trade  as well as UNODC assistance to the government.

The World Drug Report (WDR), launched on this special occasion, identifies trends in the evolution of global illicit drug markets and informs policymakers with solid evidence. The publication also helps position UNODC as a primary source of information for the media.

On the same day, journalists and embassy representatives observed a drug burning ceremony during which Uzbekistan law enforcement destroyed 1371 kilograms of drugs seized over the prior year and used as evidence in criminal prosecutions.

The Government of Turkmenistan conducted the 1st session of the Law Enforcement Roundtable on 25 June 2010. The event was organized in line with Turkmenistan's "National Drug Action Programme for 2006-2010."  The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and EU-UNDP Border Management Programme for Central Asia (BOMCA) acted as co-organizers of the meeting.

The meeting brought together  more than 50 representatives from the Government of Turkmenistan, including senior level officials from the State Drug Control Service, the State Border Service, the State Customs Service, the State Migration Service, the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Healthcare, the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor's Office, Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, National Movement "Galkynysh", trade unions, as well as representatives from all diplomatic missions and international organizations such as UNDP, TACIS, Europa House, IOM, OSCE, TIKA and USAID represented in Turkmenistan.

In his welcoming remarks First Deputy Chairman of the State Drug Control Service of Turkmenistan Mr. Yazmukhammet Yagmyrov emphasized the importance of the event that will help to consolidate efforts in the fight against drugs and strengthen information sharing and ideas on how to make these efforts more effective and destructive for drug dealers and criminals.

There were many other events devoted to 26 June such as sport competitions, concerts of popular musicians/singers, seminars for school children and their parents and teachers  in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.