Combatting Illicit Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in Uzbekistan under the Global Container Control Programme

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Central Asia conducted a specialized national online-training on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) under the UNODC – World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP) in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan on 18-20 May 2021. Eighteen officials of the State Customs Committee (SCC), including officials from the SCC Head Office and officers from three Port Control Units (PCUs) took part in the event.

The course aimed at strengthening the theoretical knowledge and expertise of Uzbekistan’s law-enforcement officers in combating illicit trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora and using existing online cooperation tools and mechanisms.

During opening of the training, 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, arms, and trafficking in human beings. Criminal groups are using the same routes and techniques for wildlife trafficking as for smuggling of other illicit commodities, exploiting gaps in national law enforcement and criminal justice systems.

The course agenda covered various thematic areas on and specifics of CITES implementation at the national level. The Customs officers improved their knowledge on risk management and risk indicators, sources of information and identification, wildlife products concealment methods, and health & safety issues.

The training has also provided a good opportunity to learn from international practice of customs control procedures when dealing with endangered species of wild fauna and flora under the CITES Convention.

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

 

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For media queries, please contact

Shakhnoza Zafari

Communication and External Relations Officer

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (Tashkent)

Email: shakhnoza.zafari[at]un.org

Mobile: +998935547895