The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with support from the Government of Japan, is working to enhance the analytical capabilities of law enforcement agencies and border services across Central Asia. This effort addresses the critical need for effective responses to the growing threats of illicit drug trafficking and border security.
Comprehensive data analysis is essential for effective and efficient law enforcement. UNODC, in collaboration with partners such as the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) and the Turkish International Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC), conducts capacity-building activities in the region. These partners possess extensive expertise in information collection, storage, protection, analysis, and exchange within the field of combating illicit drug trafficking.
Capacity-building in Kazakhstan
In November 2020, UNODC organized a five-day training on methods of data analysis and processing using different analytical tools for eleven border officers from the Situation Center of the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The training aimed to equip officers with knowledge and skills in information processing, analysis, and visualization, utilizing various analytical software tools. Expert trainers from CARICC and UNODC shared their expertise in applying analytical software like Excel, ArcGIS, and IBM i2 for data collection, analysis, and systematization.
This training is part of a series that began last year, receiving positive feedback from participants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s training was adapted to an online format.
His Excellency, Mr. Tatsuhiko Kasai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Kazakhstan, joined the opening ceremony via video conference and noted: “The work of the border guards is important in ensuring the protection of the borders and prevention against illegal practices and crime, including the smuggling of drugs. The enhancement of the competencies of the border officers and regional cooperation between the border services of Central Asian states has a critical role. This training, held during the pandemic, in a new online format, despite all challenges, gives us an advantage in involving more participants, and I hope that it will be useful for border officers in their daily activities.”
Colonel Igor Cherepkov, Head of Department of the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Border Service leadership to the Cross-Border Cooperation Component of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia and the Government of Japan for organizing these specialized training courses. He emphasized that these courses contribute to the professional development of border officers.
“This is already the fourth analytical training in this series over the past two years, and border officers-analysts are actively using the knowledge and skills they have gained in their daily activities,” he said. Considering these positive outcomes, Colonel Cherepkov suggested considering the possibility of holding monthly training sessions and developing a special video course for border officers that could be included in online training modules.
The parties agreed to work on creating a pool of national analyst trainers to meet the increasing demands of the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
UNODC strengthens intelligence analysis skills in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
In November 2020, UNODC organized a five-day training course on processing and analysis of information using IBM i2 software application. Delivered by experts from TADOC, the course was attended by 13 mid-level officers from drug control agencies, customs services, and border troops in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The course aimed to enhance the trainees’ intelligence analysis skills and train them to use the IBM i2 analytical software.
In his opening remarks, Yusuf Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator, commended the successful collaboration established with TADOC in jointly organizing capacity-building training workshops.
“TADOC is a key partner for us,” Mr. Kurbonov noted. “Since 2005, we have jointly conducted a series of training courses for law enforcement agencies. Under our numerous initiatives, we have enhanced the competence of thousands of law enforcement officers from Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. We will continue our fruitful cooperation.”
UNODC also expressed gratitude for the significant contributions of the Government of Japan to the implementation of UNODC initiatives aimed at strengthening peace and security in the region. Their continuous support over the years has been crucial for UNODC to accomplish its mission in the region.
Participants of the training received instruction in crime intelligence analysis methods, encompassing information source assessment, data analysis and visualization, databases development and management, effective use of integrated data sources, geographical information systems, data analysis from vehicle registration number recognition systems, telephone logs analysis, crime and offender profiling, risk analysis with modeling, and open sources analysis.
The course also included practical sessions to provide participants with hands-on experience in applying these techniques.
Positive feedback from participants
“It is very important for me to take part in this training and acquire the necessary knowledge and enhance my skills in intelligence analysis,” said an officer from the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan. “I want to thank UNODC for organizing this training.”
Following the training, participants shared their feedback:
“We thank UNODC for conducting this training. It was very informative and interactive. The knowledge and skills our officers acquired at the training will help them in their service,” said a representative from the Border Troops of the Republic of Tajikistan.
“During the course, we received valuable information which will facilitate our challenging work. We are thankful to the organizers of the course and the trainers,” said a representative of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Results in 2019 and plans for 2021
Since 2019, UNODC has conducted training courses for border officers and law enforcement personnel in Central Asia, reaching a total of 94 participants. These courses have included:
Yusuf Kurbonov highlighted the importance of these training programmes: “These courses are organized within the framework of the UNODC Cross-Border Cooperation Component of Sub-programme 1 ‘Countering transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and preventing terrorism’ of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia. These efforts, funded by the Government of Japan, are focused on establishing border liaison offices and enhancing information and communication systems between border services of Central Asian states. We have many more specialized training courses and technical assistance measures planned for the remainder of 2020 and 2021 which will be implemented with the support of our national partners.”
For further information, please contact:
Shakhnoza Zafari
Communication and External Relations Officer
UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (Tashkent)
Email: shakhnoza.zafari[at]un.org
Nurangez Abdulhamidova
Communication and External Relations Officer
UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (Dushanbe)
Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org