On holding a side event on application of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in drug control and combating organized crime

CARICC organized a side event on 2 June 2026 on the sidelines of the 35th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna, in collaboration with the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), on the topic “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies in Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime”.

The event brought together representatives from law enforcement agencies, international organizations, diplomatic missions and expert community to discuss modern technological solutions aimed at enhancing effectiveness of efforts to combat transnational organized crime and drug trafficking.

Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Stefano Berterame, Acting Secretary of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB); Mr. Askhat Zhumagali, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Ms. Svetlana Artykova, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and Mr. Makhmud Khamidov, CARICC Director.

During main session CARICC presented draft “AI-Powered Early Warning System to Counter Drug Threats in CARICC Member States”. In his presentation Mr. Azizbek Erkaboev stated that introduction of artificial intelligence technologies opens up new opportunities for analyzing large datasets, forecasting criminal trends, and timely identification of threats related to illicit drug trafficking. Particular attention was paid to prospects of creating a unified digital platform for rapid exchange of information among the Centre’s participating countries.

Officials from the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan demonstrated a digital platform designed to monitor, track, and block financial flows linked to drug trafficking. They emphasized that modern digital tools can significantly boost efficiency of identifying criminal schemes and cracking down on activities of organized crime groups.

Mr. Farkhod Khasanov, Acting Director of the Drug and Firearms Control Agency under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, briefed participants on measures taken in the country to digitize law enforcement activities and introduce modern technologies in the field of combating drug crime.

Special attention was given to border security matters. OSCE representative Ms. Oksana Kurysheva presented the Organization’s experience in risk assessment and information exchange in the field of border security, including ongoing projects aimed at strengthening capacity of states to counter transnational threats.

At the conclusion of the event, Umberto Severini, Head of the Strategic Police Matters Unit at the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, summarized discussions and noted that effective use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies must be accompanied by strengthened international cooperation and coordination of efforts in tackling transnational organized crime.

At the conclusion of the event, participants reaffirmed their commitment to further developing partnership and exchanging best practices in order to enhance effectiveness of their joint efforts to ensure security and combat transnational organized crime.

Side event demonstrated international community’s strong interest in using modern digital solutions and artificial intelligence to address new challenges and threats in the field of drug crime.