UNODC hosts regional meeting for Cross-Border Cooperation Project Steering Committees

On 24 - 25 October, UNODC conducted an annual regional meeting of the Steering Committees established under the UNODC Regional Project on Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation by Strengthening the Capacity of Border Liaison Offices in Central Asia in Almaty (Kazakhstan). This initiative is part of Sub-programme 1 Preventing and Countering Transnational Organized Crime of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022 – 2025.

The event brought together over 35 representatives from Central Asian law enforcement agencies, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combatting Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC), and UNODC.

The meeting aimed to present project outcomes and achievements, new initiatives and recommendations for further implementation of the project.

Alan Cole, Chief of the UNODC Border Management Branch, Vienna, highlighted that “integrated border management is becoming extremely important in today's world. The form of cooperation offered by border liaison offices is more important than it has ever been.” 

Tofik Murshudlu, Head of Coordination at the UNODC Border Management Branch, Vienna, noted: “There is a need for enhancing transborder cooperation. The project is one of the most impressive and successful examples of how it can be done in the right way not only in Central Asia but also in other regions.”

“Strengthening cross-border cooperation is very important not only for countering transnational organized crime but also for helping people to cross borders safely, promote legal trade, and ensure peace and security. Integrated border management is an answer to address transborder challenges and threats,” said Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia.  

The representatives of the law enforcement agencies updated the participants on the implementation of the project in their respective countries. They highlighted the importance of strengthening further cross-border cooperation and coordination of activities to address threats posed by transnational organized crime in the region more effectively. 

The project team made presentations about the project outcomes and achievements, including the establishment of situation and coordination centers within law enforcement agencies and interactive computer-based training classes established across Central Asian states, a pilot project - national mobile application "My border" launched in Kazakhstan and to be introduced in other Central Asian countries in 2024, development of Regional Information and Communication System (RICS) aimed to strengthen the existing communication systems of border liaison offices, regional information campaigns aimed to raise public awareness about illicit drugs, and publications and information materials developed within the project.

They also briefed the participants on the plans for further implementation of the project. 

At the end of the meeting, the participants discussed the recommendations proposed to strengthen integrated border management and enhance further cross-border law enforcement cooperation in the region.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Nurangez Abdulhamidova

Communications and External Relations Specialist

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org