UNODC Continues Supporting Border Management in Tajikistan by Enhancing the Border Expert Potential 

29 January, Dushanbe, Tajikistan .- The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organized a round-table on legislation review and update as a part of the initiative on Strengthening Control along the Tajik-Afghan Border. This specific activity was designed to bring the existing national legislation in line with the National Border Management Strategy adopted by the Government of Tajikistan for 2010-2025. The event was supported by the Government of Japan.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Hajime Kitaoka, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Tajikistan, emphasized that Tajikistan borders have impressed him most since his arrival in the country. While driving along the Tajik-Afghan border very often, he was impressed by such a border separated by a narrow river, people living and sharing the same culture and language on both sides of the border. "The essence of Border Management is the self-contradiction of 'secure but open' and only true experts of Border Management can judge when to close and when to open the border" - concluded Ambassador Kitaoka.

Established in 2016, the working group consisting of experts of all national agencies involved in the implementation of the National Strategy, reviewed two national laws: "On the State Border of Tajikistan" and "On the Border Forces of State Committee for the National Security of Tajikistan". The group of experts reviewed the existing legislation and shared its recommendations for endorsement with all respective agencies. Fifteen legal experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Border Forces, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Customs Service, Drug Control Agency, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of Population, Ministry of Transport and other concerned agencies of Tajikistan attended the meeting and shared their views and opinions on the changes recommended to the mentioned laws. All opinions and recommendations of the meeting will be elaborated to finalize the laws and submit to the Government of Tajikistan for approval.

The UNODC Initiative on Strengthening Control along the Tajik-Afghan Border is being successfully implemented in line with the "National Border Management Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan" adopted for 2010-2025 and focused on enhancement of the expert potential of border officers at the border posts and outposts along the Tajik-Afghan border.

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