CND2021: UNODC and CARICC conducted a side event to discuss prospects for future cooperation

On 14 April, UNODC and Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) organized a side event in the margins of the 64th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs via video conferencing.

The event brought together representatives from CARICC, UNODC, Central Asian law enforcement agencies, diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Central Asian states, ASEANAPOL, CIS Member States Counterterrorism Center, CSTO, FRONTEX, OSCE, SCO, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and others.

“For fourteen years of successful operation, CARICC - one of the most significant and long-term UNODC projects in Central Asia, has become an integral part of the global fight against drug trafficking, becoming the leading platform for regional and international cooperation in countering drug trafficking and cross-border crime,” said Mr. Rustam Aziz Miralizoda, Director of CARICC, in his opening remarks.

“The ever-changing nature of global threats posed by drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and terrorism can only be countered effectively by the international community through a smart strategic response in reinforcing international centers of excellence such as CARICC,” said Mr. Naweed Riaz, Head of UNODC Programme Office in Kazakhstan, in his welcoming speech.

After the opening remarks, a short video was shown followed by a presentation about CARICC’s accomplishments and the way forward.

This was followed by questions and answers and an exchange of views.

“CARICC takes an active part in the implementation of the UNODC’s strategic programmatic goals. This will continue to be one of the priority areas of the Center’s activities,” noted Mr. Rustam Aziz Miralizoda, in his concluding remarks.

“We are thankful for the continued generous support of the Government of the USA through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the Government of Kazakhstan and past contributions of Russian Federation and Japan that has enabled CARICC to produce the excellent results presented here today and look forward to continuing productive collaborations with our partners,” highlighted Mr. Naweed Riaz.

The framework agreement on the establishment of CARICC came into force on 22 March 2009. Currently, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are its Member States. The negotiations on Afghanistan and Turkey’s joining the organization are under way. CARICC serves as a permanently operating interstate agency that assists in organizing, undertaking and coordinating agreed joint international operations to combat illicit drug trafficking. The Centre also ensures the collection, storage, protection, analysis, and exchange of information on trans-border crime associated with illicit drug trafficking.

 

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For further information, please contact:

Nurangez Abdulhamidova

Communication and External Relations Officer

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (Dushanbe)

Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org