Tajikistan hosts the Seventh Annual Inter-Regional Meeting within the UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme

Dushanbe, 25 May 2022 - The Seventh Annual Inter-Regional Meeting within the UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme (CCP) organized jointly by the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and UNODC started today.

The event brought together the heads and authorized officials from customs authorities and other competent agencies of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives from international partner organizations, the donor community and UNODC.

 

“Interagency cooperation and information exchange are one of the effective ways to increase the capacity of customs authorities in their work to identify high-risk containers. Together, we will create a mechanism in customs administration that will contribute to more effective container control. It will allow, in particular, to significantly enhance the effectiveness of the work in drug trafficking prevention and will contribute to the economic development of the countries participating in the CCP,” said Mr. Azim Tursunzoda, First Deputy Head of the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, in his welcome speech. 

“Recent developments require law enforcement agencies across the region to pay greater attention to border security, cargo control and fostering collaboration to stop transnational crime. UNODC actively promotes and supports regional and inter-regional cross-border cooperation initiatives, including the CCP which represents an important element of the UNODC’s comprehensive strategic approach to preventing and countering transnational organized crime. The CCP is a crucial part of the UNODC’s border security initiatives in the region,” said Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, in her opening remarks. 

Ms. Ashita Mittal underscored that another important element in ensuring the success of law enforcement practice is the effective application of anti-corruption and integrity measures. She highlighted that UNODC stands committed to providing support to these efforts.

Mr. Tofik Murshudlu, the Head of Coordination, Border Management Branch, UNODC Headquarters, noted that “The CCP has a longstanding partnership with countries of Central Asia, Black Sea and Pakistan and established more than 30 Port Control Units and Air Cargo Control Units in the region. The programme continues to expand to additional sea, dry and airports benefitting from the results in terms of seizures of drugs and other illicit goods.” 

He reiterated UNODC’s commitment to further support the Governments in their efforts towards enhancing border control, cross-border cooperation, data exchange, and joint operational activities on preventing and suppressing high-risk consignments through the CCP’s integrated strategic approach.

 

During a two-day event, participants will discuss the priorities, needs and challenges in cargo/container control, promotion of integrity in customs and strengthening inter-regional cooperation among customs and other competent authorities of the CCP participating countries in identifying high-risk cargo in the context of the current security situation in the region.

At the end of the meeting, a Joint Declaration of the heads and authorized officials from customs authorities and the CCP participating countries will be adopted.

The UNODC-WCO CCP was established as a joint initiative of the UNODC and the WCO in 2004. The mission of the CCP is to build capacity in the Member States seeking to improve risk management, supply chain security and trade facilitation in seaports, airports and land border crossings to prevent the cross-border movement of illicit goods.

The regional segments of the CCP for the Central Asian and Black Sea regions and Pakistan are funded by the Governments of Canada, Germany, Japan and the United States of America.

 

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For further information, please contact:

 

Ms. Nurangez Abdulhamidova

Communication and External Relations Officer

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org