High-Level Meeting Promotes Implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia

Senior diplomats of Central Asian states gathered to debate the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia in Ashgabat on 30 April 2018. Chaired by Turkmenistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Rashid Meredov, and the UN Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, the high-level meeting provided a platform for the presentation of the latest counter-terrorism initiatives in the Central Asia region.

UNODC attended the event, which was hosted by the Government of Turkmenistan and the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for (UNRCCA), and spoke about regional trends in the area of drugs trafficking and related illicit financial flows, which may contribute to the financing of terrorism.

"UNODC estimates show that in 2016 non-State armed groups raised about 150 million USD from the Afghan illicit opiate trade in the form of taxes on the cultivation of opium poppy and trafficking in opiates", said Mr. Koen Marquering, UNODC International Coordinator.

"UNODC welcomes the efforts of the Central Asian states to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy through the 2011 Joint Plan of Action. We stand ready to support the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre and UNRCCA to implement the third phase of the project "Towards a Comprehensive Implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia", Mr. Marquering added.

In Central Asia, UNODC works within the UN system to support implementation of both the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the Secretary-General's Plan of Action to prevent violent extremism.

UNODC has teamed up with UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP to promote women's and girls' participation and engagement in efforts to prevent violent extremism in Kyrgyzstan. UNODC's community policing initiatives include the development of an e-learning course for law enforcement officers and the drafting of community-level plans to prevent violent extremism.

In Kyrgyzstan, UNODC supports national efforts to prevent radicalization to violence in prisons and to improve the governance of the penitentiary system and probation services. Strengthening forensic services in terrorism and extremism related cases to ensure adherence to fair trial standards is another focus area.

UNODC is collaborating with the Law Enforcement Academy under the Office of the Prosecutor General in Kazakhstan to set up a dedicated website on the prevention of violent extremism for Central Asian practitioners. Guidelines to raise awareness about the importance of whole-of-society approaches are under preparation. Pilots with the establishment of community risk panels are also planned in several Central Asian countries. These panels allow government and civil society stakeholders to coordinate, share information and collaborate to address concerns in their community in relation to violent extremism leading to terrorism.

UNODC continues to support the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC). Afghanistan is set to join CARICC this year so as to boost cooperation to counter illicit drugs trafficked and associated illicit financial flows that may be used to support terrorism.

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For more information

Please, contact Ms. Dariya Kudabaeva, the UNODC ROCA Communications and External Relations Officer

E-mail: dariya.kudabaeva[at]un.org

Tel: (+998) 71 120 80 50