Meeting with liaison officer of Finland

CARICC Director A. Yazlyyev met with Ossi Granat, Counselor for Police Affairs at the Embassy of Finland in Moscow, on 27 March 2024 in Almaty.

During the meeting CARICC Director informed about activities of the Centre in the field of organization and coordination of counter-narcotics operations, and information-analytical work.

Mr. Ossi Granat, in turn, told that his tasks include ensuring interaction of the Finnish authorities with CARICC in exchange of information in the field of combating drug trafficking. Mr. Granat expressed interest in establishing contacts and expanding cooperation in joint operations to counter drug trafficking.

Parties also exchanged views on development of cooperation between Finnish law enforcement agencies and CARICC, and discussed possible areas of cooperation in matters of common interest.

Finland, along with 17 other countries, has observer status with CARICC. Observer state ensures exchange of information of mutual interest between the Centre and competent authorities of the sending state, advises the Centre and authorized representatives of member states on regulations of their national legislation, and, if necessary, assists in organization and carrying out of coordinated joint international operations, operative - investigative measures, including controlled deliveries.

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CARICC Director meeting with UNODC Executive Director

CARICC delegation led by Mr. A. Yazlyyev met with Ms. G. Whaly, UNODC Executive Director, during the regular segment of the 67th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs taking place in Vienna from 18 to 22 March 2024.

Turkmenistan delegation, headed by the country's Ambassador in Vienna, and representatives of UNODC and its Regional Office for Central Asia also participated in the meeting.

UNODC Executive Director noted alarming growth of drug trafficking in the world and Central Asia, which demands united efforts of countries and organizations in combating drugs. She underlined importance of CARICC's role as a platform for counter-narcotics cooperation.

CARICC Director A. Yazlyyev commented that despite stated reduction of poppy cultivation areas in Afghanistan, drug smuggling is on the rise in the region, which is confirmed by official statistics. Based on results of 2023, the amount of drugs seized in the Centre's member countries increased by more than 73% compared to 2022.

To bring this problem to the attention of the world community CARICC organized two side-events during the 67th Session of the CND, focused on enhancing collaboration between countries and organizations in countering international drug trafficking, and support of CARICC efforts by member states, observers and donors.

Participants of the meeting also exchanged views on counter-narcotics topics and discussed other areas of CARICC operations.

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CARICC organized a side-event during the 67th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

CARICC delegation headed by Director A. Yazlyyev held a side-event titled "CARICC - a Universal Platform for Counter-Narcotics Cooperation" at the Vienna International Center on 18 March 2024.

The event was organized during the regular segment of the 67th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs from 18 to 22 March 2024 in Vienna.

The meeting brought together heads and employees of counter-narcotics agencies of CARICC Member States, representatives of the UNODC Headquarters and Tashkent Office, experts from INTERPOL and other international organizations.

Opening the event, Mr. A. Yazlyyev remarked that CARICC carries out analysis of drug situation under its mandate on a regular basis, focusing on prospects and trends of its development in the Central Asian region. Findings show negative trends in the territory of the Centre's Member States, which calls for concrete efforts in the region to normalize drug situation and preserve peace and security. In this context, it is proposed to actively use CARICC capabilities at the international level in combating transnational organized drug crime.

Representatives of CARICC Member States, experts from UNODC, INTERPOL and other international organizations highlighted the importance of continued cooperation of member countries, observers and donors within CARICC framework. They recognized unique CARICC mechanism set up under the auspices of the UN, providing a platform for international cooperation in countering drug trafficking. They also suggested to support the Centre in ensuring its financial sustainability.

CARICC delegation took part in the side-event "Prevention of Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking among Population, especially Young People, and Rehabilitation of Drug Users" hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 18 March.

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CARICC exhibition at the 67th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

CARICC organized an exhibition on its information and analytical products during the 67th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs taking place in Vienna from 13 to 22 March 2024.

As part of its analytical functions, CARICC continuously monitors drug situation in the region. Based on collected data the Centre carries out a strategic analysis of drug situation in order to identify areas of joint actions of competent authorities. For this purpose, the Centre has conducted a number of analytical studies, which were presented to competent authorities.

Moreover, CARICC works on preparation and publication of studies, recommendations and methodological manuals in counter-narcotics. A number of informational and analytical documents have recently been produced, some of which are provided in the form of QR codes, with an option of scanning and downloading to gadgets.

More than 1000 analytical works have been published and shared over the 15-year period of CARICC functioning.

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CARICC participation in the 67th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

CARICC delegation took part in the 67th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) taking place from 13 to 22 March 2024 in Vienna. During the High-Level Segment of the 67th Session of the CND a side-event was organized jointly with the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on "CARICC Capabilities in Countering Modern Challenges of the Spread of Synthetic Drugs". The event was attended by leadership and representatives of competent authorities of CARICC member states, observer states, UN Office on Drugs and Crime and other international organizations. Attendees were provided information on CARICC activities, which operates in Almaty under the auspices of the United Nations as a regional intergovernmental body aimed at assisting in organization and coordination of international operations to combat illicit drug trafficking. In particular, 84 counter-narcotics operations, including international controlled delivery, have been carried out under the coordination of the Centre. About 7.5 tons of drugs and more than 62 tons of precursors have been seized, and 121 leaders and active members of organized crime groups have been arrested. Representatives of CARICC member states underscored the significant role of the Centre in countering drug trafficking and stated that the increasing production and smuggling of methamphetamine in the region calls for further consolidation of efforts of the parties around CARICC as an effective platform for international counter-narcotics cooperation. Read more...