UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme expands to priority ports in Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

During June-July 2021 period, United National Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Central Asia (UNODC ROCA) organized a series of Technical Needs Assessment Missions to priority ports in Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan under the UNODC-World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP). The purpose of the assessment missions has been to conduct a general study of the current situation and develop recommendations for future activities, including identification of suitable accommodation and needs for technical equipment and training for the establishment of new Port Control Units (PCUs) at priority Customs posts in Central Asia.

As such, the Technical Needs Assessment Mission to “Farap Avtoyollary” Customs Post in Lebap region of Turkmenistan was conducted on 25 July 2021 by UNODC ROCA staff jointly with the State Customs Service (SCS) of Turkmenistan.

In 2021, the Government of Turkmenistan has expressed its consent to establish additional Port Control Unit at “Farap Avtoyollary” Customs post. The UNODC delegation had opportunity to review Customs post’s operations including import, export and transit procedures as well as hold the meetings with the management of the “Farap Avtoyollary” Customs Post from SCC and the State Border Service and other competent authorities of Turkmenistan. 

 

On 12-15 July 2021, the UNODC ROCA team conducted the Technical Needs Assessment Mission under the CCP to the Customs posts Ayritom in Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan and Aviagruzy at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport in Tashkent. The mission was organized as part of the mutual agreement reached with the Government of Uzbekistan on the creation of the PCU at Ayritom Customs Post and Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU) at Aviagruzy Customs Post at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport under the CCP.

The CCP National Focal Points from the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (NCDC) and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan (SCC) have accompanied the UNODC ROCA team during the mission. Visit to the Termez River Port – a separate Customs post and consultations with post and port authorities have also been arranged. This was followed by the visit to Termez Cargo Center, where the infrastructure and logistics of the Customs clearance procedures for goods exported and imported have been studied and consultations with local customs officials conducted. On 15 July 2021, the Customs control infrastructure and procedures of the Aviagruzy Customs Post at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport have been studied and relevant cargo and Customs load statistics have been collected for further inclusion in the Technical Needs Assessment report.

Another Technical Needs Assessment Mission was held on 12-15 July 2021 to Batken Customs in the Kyrgyz Republic by UNODC ROCA staff, accompanied by CCP National Focal Point from the State Customs Service under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic. The mission was organized in accordance with the need expressed by the Kyrgyz side for the establishment of dedicated PCU there.

Meetings with the management of the Batken Customs at the Batken Customs Office and visits to Kayragach, Kulundu, Kyzyl Bel, and Kyzyl-Kiya Customs posts were conducted to review the infrastructure and logistics of Customs clearance and processing procedures for further inclusion in the Technical Needs Assessment report.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia 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.