UNODC Supports Establishment of New Border Outpost at the Tajik-Afghan Border

The Opening Ceremony of the "Payvand" Border Outpost, located along the Tajik-Afghan border, took place on 12 December 2019 in Shahrituz, Tajikistan, after construction works performed under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Initiative on Strengthening Control along the Tajik-Afghan Border with financial support of the Government of Japan.

The outpost was solemnly opened by Colonel-General Rajabali Rahmonali, the Commander of the Border Forces of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan, Mr. Takayuki Miyashita, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan in the Republic of Tajikistan, Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative in Central Asia.

The Border Outpost "Payvand" is the tenth site constructed with the support of UNODC. Earlier, "Bakhorak", "Bog", "Sari Gor", "Shogun", "Yol", "Yakhchi Pun", "Takhti Sangin" border outposts, and "Tagnob" and 'Ushturmullo" border posts were rehabilitated and constructed with the support of UNODC, and as a part of national border strengthening concept.

Apart of the construction works, the Border Outpost was supplied with office and domestic equipment, furniture and other appliances. And, the officers of the border outposts and posts of this stretch at the Tajik-Afghan border were trained on border control skills, to improve collection and analyses of data, to prevent illegal border crossings, profiling and detection of drug couriers.

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 the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with a special focus on Goal 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, providing technical support in countering transnational organized crime, terrorism, and drug trafficking in the country. 

H.E. Ambassador Takayuki Miyashita noted the undeniable fact that Tajik-Afghan Border is threatened everyday by transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and terrorism that come from Afghanistan. He emphasized that for Japan, this project is of great importance because Border Management is considered as a priority. "This issue can affect not only national security of Tajikistan but also regional as well as worlds security as a whole", concluded Mr. Takayuki Miyashita.

Ms. Ashita Mittal thanked the Border Forces of the State Committee of National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan for partnering with UNODC in this important area of strengthening the Tajik-Afghan border and assured the Government of Japan that the project is well embodied in the overall response in the country and the resources will go a long way in contributing to the development, health, safety and security of the people of Tajikistan.

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