A regular meeting of the Council of National Coordinators (CNC) of Member States of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) was held in Samarkand on 5 December 2025 under the chairmanship of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The event was held under the aegis of “CARICC 2.0: Enhancing the Organization’s Capacity to Ensure Security and Sustainable Development in the Region”.

The meeting was held in an expanded and small format.

The expanded session involved representatives of international organizations (SCO, OSCE, CSTO, CICA, EAG, GCC-CIC), diplomatic corps and foreign media accredited in Uzbekistan, members of law enforcement agencies of Central Asian countries, USA, Germany, Belarus, Iran and other states.

At the opening of the event, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Uzbekistan Bakhodir Tashmatov reported a sharp increase in drug crime in the region. Over the past five years the number of drug-related crimes in Central Asia has increased by 83%, smuggling by 55%, and the volume of seized substances by 52%. Illicit trafficking in synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine, has increased by 62%. In his speech the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Uzbekistan called on the countries of the region to strengthen operational cooperation and expand joint operations against drug trafficking.

CARICC Director and participants presented information on current drug situation in Central Asian countries and proposals for enhancing joint efforts. Presentations were also made by representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the US Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the Embassy of Afghanistan in Uzbekistan, and the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Additionally, the meeting featured a presentation of the National Program to Combat Drug Abuse and Drug Crime in Uzbekistan for 2025-2026. 

The meeting concluded with the adoption of Joint Declaration (communiqué) aimed at consolidating efforts of Central Asian states and partners in countering contemporary challenges related to illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursors.

The small meeting brought together CNC leaders and experts. They discussed ways to improve CARICC work and boost its institutional capacity, approve Action Plan (Roadmap) for 2026, set CARICC budget, and other ideas to boost cooperation within the framework of the organization.

A regular meeting of experts of Member States of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) was held in-person in Samarkand (Republic of Uzbekistan) on 4 December 2025.

Representatives from the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, staff of CARICC and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime participated in the event.

During discussions experts from participating countries approved agenda and program for the meeting, agreed on and recommended for consideration at the meeting of the Council of National Coordinators (CNC) drafts of agenda, program, minutes and decisions for the upcoming CNC meeting.

A separate item on the agenda was Kazakhstan's proposal to permanently assign one of deputy director positions at CARICC to the Republic of Kazakhstan. Participants noted that a consensus approach was required and suggested that Kazakhstan, together with CARICC, refine the proposal by preparing draft amendments to the Centre's Regulations, which form part of the Agreement on the Establishment of CARICC, and forward the updated documents to the participating countries for further examination.

Parties also reached agreement on draft Joint Declaration, scheduled to be adopted following extended meeting of the CNC of CARICC Member States on 5 December 2025 in Samarkand.

CARICC Director Mr. Makhmud Khamidov met with Ms. Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator, in Almaty on 27 November 2025.

During the meeting CARICC Director informed participants about mandate, objectives and main activities of the Centre, and briefed on current initiatives and development plans aimed at enhancing effectiveness of practical work in combating drug trafficking.

The Centre's staff then gave the distinguished delegation a detailed and informative presentation on the Centre's efforts and current drug situation in CARICC member states.

Ongoing plan of CARICC and the UNODC Regional Office for development and implementation of pilot phase of regional early warning systems (EWS) for synthetic drugs and NPS in Central Asia was also presented.

The UN delegation expressed high appreciation for initiatives presented by the Centre. Proposals were also made for CARICC participation in technical initiatives of the Counter-Narcotics Working Group under the Doha Process, including involvement in activities conducted by small group on law enforcement.  

The meeting took place in a friendly atmosphere and in the spirit of constructive dialogue, demonstrating high level of interest of the parties in further deepening practical cooperation within the framework of joint projects to combat drug crime.

CARICC delegation met with representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation led by State Secretary - Deputy Minister Mr. Igor Zubov, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation led by Ms. Maria Visloguzova, Department on Emerging Challenges and Threats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the premises of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation on 20 November 2025.

Parties exchanged views on current drug situation in the world and in the region. 

In addition, CARICC presented a number of initiatives aimed at further improving the Centre's efficiency, including improving its organizational structure and developing new areas of activity to counter cyber threats and the spread of synthetic drugs.

Leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation reaffirmed their support for CARICC initiatives.

Parties also discussed practical cooperation in a number of priority areas and confirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening cooperation between CARICC and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.