On 12 May 2021, Major-General R.A. Miralizoda, Director of the Centre, met with Colonel U. Sultanov, Head of the Drug Control Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic. Mr. D. Toichiev, representative of the UNODC Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic, also took part in the meeting.

During the event they discussed areas of joint activities and directions of cooperation between the SBNON MVD of Kyrgyzstan and CARICC in countering drug trafficking and further development of collaboration within the mandate of the Centre, which to date is an effective mechanism for coordinating efforts of competent authorities of CARICC Member States in combating transnational drug crime.

In addition, discussions highlighted the UNODC's continued support towards the Centre and appreciation for efforts of competent authorities of CARICC Member States in seeking new coordinated, comprehensive and concerted ways and opportunities to tackle drug trafficking in the region.

Major-General R.A. Miralizoda, Director of CARICC, and Mr. Naweed Riaz, Head of the UNODC Programme Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan, met with H.E. Mr. John Mikal Kvistad, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway to the Republic of Kazakhstan, via videoconference on 29 April 2021.

This event was a continuation of dialogues that took place during bilateral meetings in Nur-Sultan from 20 to 26 April this year with heads of diplomatic missions and embassies of foreign countries, to discuss expansion of cooperation with CARICC and to assist in seeking additional funding for its activities.

During the meeting, Director of CARICC informed Mr. Ambassador that CARICC is one of the largest and most significant projects of UNODC and has 7 Member States and 17 Observer countries. The Centre under its mandate promotes, coordinates and supports efforts of countries in combating drug trafficking not only in the region, but also far beyond it, and carries out important analytical work.

Mr. Kvistad's attention was drawn to the potential of the Centre, not only in combating drugs, but also in countering international organized crime, terrorism, human trafficking and corruption.

In turn, Mr. Ambassador underscored the importance of CARICC and confirmed the need for increased cooperation. At the same time, it was suggested that part of funding allocated by Norway to UNODC for counter-terrorism programmes could be used for this purpose.

Conversation was open and constructive.

CARICC and UNODC delegation headed by Major-General R.A. Miralizoda, Director of the Centre, participated in bilateral meetings with heads of diplomatic missions and embassies of foreign countries in Nur-Sultan from 20 to 26 April 2021.

Visits were made to embassies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Sweden, the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Meetings were aimed at discussing expanded cooperation with CARICC and assistance in seeking additional funding for the Centre's activities.

Mr. R.A. Miralizoda, Director of CARICC, presented the Centre as one of the largest and most significant UNODC projects in Central Asia.

Importance of its establishment by the region's 7 heads of state was highlighted, as well as its 17 observer countries.

Main goals and objectives of the Centre were outlined, including assistance, coordination and support of regional countries in combating drug trafficking, combating drug trade to Europe and countries of South and East Asia.

Touching upon results of the Centre's work in operational segment over the past years, CARICC Director briefed about seizure of hundreds of tons of dangerous drugs, dismantling a significant number of drug channels of Afghan opiates all over the world. Significance of work carried out by liaison officers from all CARICC Member and Observer States in this direction was underlined.

Presentation also provided information on analytical work of CARICC, drug situation monitoring and forecasting, based on which countries of the region develop national anti-drug strategies and drug policies.

Attention of heads of diplomatic missions was drawn to the possibility of using potential of the Center not only in the fight against drugs, but also in countering international organized crime, terrorism, human trafficking and corruption.

Meetings were held in a constructive dialogue on full range of topics previously addressed at the 20 April 2021 donor conference.

20 April 2021 a donor conference on funding the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) was held via videoconference.

The conference was supported by the Ministries of Foreign and Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It was attended by heads and representatives of diplomatic missions, international organizations accredited in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The purpose of the event is to discuss matters of mutual interest in view of CARICC's mandate in combating illicit drug trafficking, to use its potential, experience and resources, and to seek new cooperation arrangements in supporting the development of the Centre and its funding.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Mr. Rustam Aziz Miralizoda, Director of CARICC, Mr. Akan Rakhmetullin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Arystangani Zapparov, Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs, and Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia.

In his speech, Mr. R.A. Miralizoda briefed on results of the Centre's performance, its achievements, potential, and development prospects.

It was mentioned that the states of the region and permanent partners of the Centre regard it as an effective element of regional security, an effective platform for coordination of efforts on anti-drug track in Central Asia.

Over the years, CARICC has become an organization that provides a productive forum for Member States to shape appropriate responses to contemporary challenges and threats.

In turn, resource base of the Centre and experience of its staff members defines great prospects in expanding counteraction not only to drug trafficking and coordination of anti-drug work, but also in tackling transnational organized crime, terrorism, and human trafficking.

In conclusion, Mr. R.A. Miralizoda called on potential donors to review the possibility of providing financial support to the Centre for the most effective and qualitative performance of its tasks.

Ms. A. Mittal also highlighted CARICC's achievements and results, and stressed importance of the Centre on counter narcotics track in the Central Asian region.

She also identified as an important priority the need for adequate funding for the Centre, which is essential for its development and is in line with main directions of UNODC's core programmes in the region.

The Kazakhstani side reaffirmed its commitment to the main priorities of international cooperation in the anti-drug sphere, while noting the leading role of CARICC as a UNODC project uniting the joint efforts of 7 participating states and 17 observer countries.

During the meeting, the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. William Moser, also made a speech, who said that further donor assistance to the Center would be considered by the US Government after agreeing on the priority issues for the American side. These include the entry of Afghanistan and Turkey into the Center, the signing of the Agreement on the exchange and protection of classified information, as well as the formation of the position of the participating states on making voluntary contributions to its budget.

The conference was moderated by the Head of the UNODC Program Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Navid Riaz, who during the event made a presentation on the CARICC strategy and the efficiency of using its resources in the Central Asian region in countering not only drug trafficking, but also transnational organized crime. terrorism, human trafficking corruption.

In conclusion, Mr. Rustam Aziz Miralizoda, Director of CARICC thanked the participants and expressed hope that donor countries will find additional opportunities to finance the Center for its sustainable development.