To take timely and adequate measures to respond to the emerging drug situation, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved the “National Strategy to Combat Drug Addiction and Drug Crime in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2024-2028” (N-73 dated 06.05.2024).

This Strategy is aimed at improving the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of drug control and the national system of monitoring the drug situation, ensuring national and public security, and protecting the health of citizens.

The Strategy builds on the positive international experience of advanced countries in the field of timely response to trans-border crime threats related to drug trafficking.

By presidential decree, the National Information and Analytical Centre for Drug Control was transformed into the National Centre for Drug Control under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (National Centre). It is important to note that the focus of the transformed National Centre is the systematic in-depth scientific, practical and informational-analytical study, identification and forecasting of the main factors and trends in the drug-related situation in the country by region.

In this context, CARICC welcomes the transformation of the central coordinating competent authority of Uzbekistan within the framework of the implementation of the Agreement “On the Establishment of CARICC”, which will contribute to improving the level of cooperation of the competent authorities of Uzbekistan with CARICC.

An agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan on the establishment of a Central Asian regional information and coordination center to combat illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors was signed on 24 July 2006 in Astana.

Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Security Service, the Customs Committee under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the General Prosecutor's Office, and the National Centre for Drug Control under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has identified by the Uzbek side as the competent authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan under the Agreement on the Establishment of CARICC.

A simulation training dedicated to detection of drug crime on the Internet and investigation of drug money laundering for law enforcement officers and special agencies was conducted in the period from 22 to 26 April 2024 in Koshy at the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies under the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The training program consisted of a series of practical exercises and simulations aimed at teaching officers the latest techniques to combat online drug trafficking and related money laundering.

The training focused on key aspects of combating drug trafficking and money laundering, including application of advanced technologies and strategic approaches. Participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills in this area thanks to international co-operation with partners such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section (INL) of the US Embassy, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and Kazdream IT Holding.

The event brought together 26 representatives from various agencies, including prosecutors, national security, internal affairs and financial monitoring from Almaty, East Kazakhstan, Akmola and Karaganda regions, and officers from central office of the General Prosecutor's Office.

Simulation training was an important step in enhancing professional skills of law enforcement officers and contributed to raising awareness of contemporary challenges and threats in countering drug crime.

CARICC delegation headed by Director A. Yazlyyev visited Tashkent on 25-26 April 2024 and held consultations with leadership of competent authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During a meeting with Mr. S. Boydedayev, Director of the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control of the Republic of Uzbekistan, parties exchanged views on development of drug situation in Uzbekistan and Central Asian region. They expressed mutual interest in enhancing international counter-narcotics cooperation between countries and specialized organizations.

During his meeting with Mr. Muzaffar Madrakhimov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, CARICC Director informed about current efforts of the organization he leads. Both sides also discussed intensification of cooperation under CARICC.

A meeting was held at CARICC on 23 April 2024 with Nate Rettenmayer and Brian Gillespie, Heads of Section of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) at the US Embassies in Tashkent and Dushanbe.

Welcoming the guests of the Centre, CARICC Director A. Yazlyyev informed about activities of the Centre, which coordinated a number of counternarcotics operations, including international controlled deliveries. This resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of drugs and precursors, arrest of scores of leaders and active members of organized criminal groups.

A separate description was given of CARICC's information and analytical efforts in preparing regular information reports and bulletins on combating drug trafficking, conducting research on various aspects of the drug problem, and organizing and conducting training courses and workshops for representatives of law enforcement agencies of Central Asian countries. 

The US INL Delegation highly appreciated CARICC activity as a regional information and analytical center. A hope was expressed for strengthening this regional coordination mechanism, including with financial assistance of CARICC Member States and its donors.