UNODC Sums up 9 Months' Work Results to Support Law Enforcement in Kyrgyzstan

A coordination meeting of the Programme Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the Kyrgyz Republic with key law enforcement partners and donors to sum up the joint activities under the Sub-Programme 1 "Countering transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and terrorism" for the last nine months of 2018 was held in Bishkek, on 2 October 2018.

The UNODC Sub-Programme 1 team came together with counterparts, donors and partners to review the progress with the implementation of the Programme and discuss joint achievements and agree on the way forward to further enhancement of technical cooperation with law enforcement in the country.

"During this period, we carried out a whole range of activities, which significantly strengthened the capacity of law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic in combatting transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism prevention", said Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov, a UNODC Lead of the Sub-Programme 1 "Countering transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and terrorism". "The effectiveness of our cooperation with partners has significantly increased since have moved from a project-based approach to a regional thematic approach". 

UNODC technical assistance programme to the Kyrgyz law enforcement includes provision of equipment for the Ministry of Interior, State Border Guard and Customs Services, construction of infrastructure to enhance the capacity of counternarcotic services and border crossing points, and a variety of law enforcement training modules. As a result, law enforcement officers have acquired better skills, hold higher standards, and enjoy better living and working conditions through access to proper facilities in doing their work.

Mr. Matmusayev, Head of the Anti-Drug Trafficking Service of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Interior noted that "UNODC has been cooperating with the anti-drug agencies of Kyrgyzstan for a very long time (AKN, GSKN, GOBNON, SBNON), and this is a very successful experience of cooperation. Our interaction with this organization has become even more effective after its transition from project to programmatic approach. It expanded our capabilities in cooperation both within the country and with the Central Asian partners".

UNODC future plans include a combination of country-specific initiatives under the Sub-Programme 1   in conjunction with the Strategies of the ministries and agencies to provide resources in support of what the agencies consider useful for future engagement and cooperation. In the 4 th quarter of 2018, UNODC will also design and develop the first statistical report on "Control over the circulation of drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors in Kyrgyzstan for the period from 2013 to 2017" in close partnership with the Anti-Drug Trafficking Service of the Kyrgyz Republic and the National Statistics Committee.

Important to note that in March 2018, UNODC received funds from the Government of Japan in the amount of 2.7 mln. US dollars to support drug control efforts in Kyrgyzstan.

These efforts will be aimed at supporting strong national legislation on drug control, national operational capacities on drug law enforcement, as well as for enhancing the capacities of other competent authorities in maintaining the legal turnover of controlled narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors under the ratified UN conventions. As part of a balanced and comprehensive integrated strategy, the health consequences of drug use especially for the young and vulnerable population will also be addressed.

The Coordination meeting is conducted under the implementation of the UNODC Sub-Programme 1 "Countering transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and terrorism" of the UNODC Programme for Central Asiafor 2015-2019.

For more information:

UNODC ROCA on Twitter

UNODC in Central Asia on Facebook

***

For more information, please contact Ms. Vasilina Brazhko,

National Communication/PR Officer of the UNODC ROCA by

Cel: +996 775 98 78 17, e-mail: vasilina.brazhko[at]unodc.org