UNODC supports the opening of a new Border Liaison Office and computer-based training class on the Kazakh-Uzbek border

On 30 March 2021, the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Regional Office for Central Asia (UNODC ROCA), opened a new Border Liaison Office(BLO) at the 24-hour international border crossing point B. Konysbaev between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The newly established BLO aims to enhance inter-agency and transborder cooperation and intelligence-sharing to effectively counter illicit trafficking, detecting and intercepting contraband, including narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals, while facilitating legitimate international trade.

“Addressing transnational organized crimes, including drug trafficking, requires greater cross-border cooperation in the region. This is possible through Border Liaison Offices -BLOs. BLOs establish mechanisms through which neighboring border authorities can exchange strategic operational information related to drug trafficking along and across borders,” said Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative in Central Asia, in her opening speech. “I am confident that the newly established BLO at the border crossing point B. Konysbaev, on the Kazakh-Uzbek border, will contribute to strengthening border security and cooperation between law enforcement authorities of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.”

“Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have worked on a number of issues on the border for long years in cooperation with many countries, including Japan and international organizations. The opening of the BLO will enable both countries to tackle issues more efficiently on the border,” noted Mr. Gakuto Nagashima, First Secretary and Security Officer of the Embassy of Japan in Kazakhstan, in his congratulatory message. “I hope that the new BLO will symbolize the stability and prosperity of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.”

It is worth mentioning that the Kazakh Border Service and UNODC enjoy constructive cooperation in implementing the BLO initiative that produced some very tangible and worthwhile outcomes. UNODC supported the counterparts in establishing two BLOs at the border crossing point (BCP) Kordai and BCP Sypatai Batyr on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border; technical support was provided to the remote and potentially vulnerable Kazygurt and Kaplanbek BCPs on the Kazakh-Uzbek border and BCP Aisha Bibi on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border.

“Technical upgrading of the infrastructure at border crossing points and enhancement of skills and expertise of the border staff are vital for tackling contemporary threats and addressing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We attach great importance to international and regional cooperation in border security and management. We thank UNODC for sustained partnership and continuous support,” said Colonel Kanatai Dalmatov, Deputy Director of the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The establishment of BLOs in Central Asia builds a strong foundation for further effective interagency and cross-border cooperation. To date, 17 BLOs have been established on the Tajik-Afghan, Uzbek-Afghan, Tajik-Uzbek, Kyrgyz-Tajik, Kyrgyz-Uzbek, Kyrgyz-Kazakh and Kazakh-Uzbek borders. Each country assigned staff for the establishment of BLOs and allocated premises at the BCPs, while technical assistance was provided by UNODC ROCA through organizing training courses and providing equipment to support the operation of the offices.

BLOs are established at the key border crossing points in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan under the Regional Cross-Border Cooperation Component designed to counter the trafficking of Afghan opiates through the northern route. It is the first project to establish BLOs in Central Asia, and its stakeholders are the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Border Troops, Customs and Drug Control Agencies of each country. The component is part of Sub-programme 1 “Countering transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and preventing terrorism” of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia and is funded by the Government of Japan.

On the same day, as part of the Regional Cross-Border Cooperation Component, UNODC launched a computer-based training class at the Saryagash BCP. The comprehensive training programme is designed to provide continuous learning opportunities for border officers from all BCPs located on the Kazakh-Uzbek border. The training curriculum covers topics that fall within the mandate of UNODC. The first computer-based training class was established at the Kordai BCP in May 2019. Since then, over 300 border officers at the Kordai BCP have attended UNODC computer-based training classes. The classes ensure continuous learning, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both UNODC and Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan stressed the importance of expanding and adapting the training programme to the Kazakh language and creating a pool of national trainers across the country.

“I am pleased that today we have inaugurated a computer-based training room at the Saryagash border crossing point to institutionalize training for border service officers in Kazakhstan. This is one of the most efficient ways to build the capacity of border service officers, especially during the pandemic,” said Ms. Ashita Mittal.

 

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For all inquiries, please contact

Nurangez Abdulhamidova,

Communication and External Relations Officer

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (Dushanbe)

Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org