The Container Control Programme participating states unite against illicit trafficking of chemicals and other contraband in the region

On 21-22 November 2017 UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia organized a Debriefing Meeting on the Regional Operation "Container Programme Chemical check - I" under the UNODC-World Customs Organization Global Container Control Programme (CCP) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Customs and other Law Enforcement officials attended the event from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan together with representatives from the World Customs Organization's Regional Office for Capacity Building and the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors.

During the opening of the meeting the Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, Mr. Aydin Aliyev stated: "The Regional Operation brought our countries together" and "we look forward to continuation of such operations". UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, Ms. Ashita Mittal highlighted that "regional and international cooperation among Customs Administrations is crucial in effective targeting high-risk consignments".

The Regional Operation among CCP participating states in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Georgia and Pakistan created a unique opportunity for the regional Customs/law enforcement community to promote and enhance regional cooperation in the field of security as well as to cooperate internationally to prevent illicit trafficking of chemicals/substances using international supply chains, and to explore and better understand the risk environment.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia and Azerbaijan is funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Programme as well as the Government of Japan. The above event was co-funded by Sub-programme 1 of the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries'.