In Bishkek, the International SCO Conference “For a World Without Drugs” has opened

13 October 2026, Bishkek – The International Conference of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation “For a World Without Drugs” has started its work at the state residence Ala-Archa. The event was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic together with the SCO Secretariat.

The conference is attended by representatives of the competent authorities of the SCO member states, the SCO Secretariat, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (CARICC), as well as other regional organizations, government bodies, higher education institutions and civil society of the Kyrgyz Republic.

At the opening, a welcoming speech was delivered by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Major General of Police Adylbek Biybosunov. Participants emphasized the importance of joining efforts to counter transnational drug crime and new challenges related to digitalization. On the first day, parallel thematic sessions were held. A CARICC representative at the Session “Law Enforcement Cooperation in Countering Illicit Drug Trafficking” presented the initiative to create a regional early warning system (EWS) on new drug threats based on artificial intelligence.

At Session II, dedicated to the prevention of non-medical drug use, a CARICC representative delivered a report “The Role of CARICC in Interagency Cooperation in the Field of Preventing Non-Medical Drug Use.” He noted that prevention is a priority of the SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024–2029 and emphasized the need for an interagency approach bringing together healthcare, education, law enforcement and civil society. Practical results were presented, including Operation “Web,” and proposals on institutionalizing the coordination format SCO – CIS – CARICC – CSTO – EAG, developing an AI-based early warning system, strengthening interagency interaction and exchanging best practices.

The conference will continue on 14 October 2026, and recommendations will be adopted based on its results.