Bringing domestic laws in compliance with the UN legal instruments

Through its Global Legal Assistance Programme and global programs against money laundering and terrorism, UNODC delivers assistance with ratification and implementation the UN instruments against drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism. By responding flexibly to the needs of each country, ROCA works in essential legislation upgrading After sustained advisory and/or drafting support, all the countries in the region ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, UN Convention against Corruption and the majority of the anti-terrorism instruments including the latest convention against terrorism financing and nuclear terrorism. All the countries adopted essential drug-related legislation that brought it in closer compliance with the UN drug control conventions. Laws against money laundering and terrorism financing were adopted in Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, laws regarding confiscation of proceeds and instrumentalities of crime were amended in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and a new Code on Criminal procedure that introduced among other things advanced provisions on international legal cooperation was adopted in Turkmenistan.

Investigating money laundering and the financing of terrorism

The multi-billion dollar opium economy in neighboring Afghanistan combined with limited institutional capacity foster conditions that leave the Central Asian countries vulnerable to the incursion of illicit money from drug trafficking and other crimes.
UNODC assists countries in the region to establish and strength institutional infrastructure, and delivers anti-money laundering computer-based training modules targeted to increase national counterpart capacity as well as facilitates and encourages international cooperation through conferences and other events. UNODC has formed a strong partnership with the World Bank and jointly supports the work of a regional AML/CTF mentor. The mentor, through close interaction with the respective authorities, provides regular assistance on AML/CFT, and has contributed significantly to the development of capacity within the Central Asian countries.