Within the framework of the 66th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, on March 15, the CARICC delegation headed by Director Yazlyev A.O. took part in a side event organized by the Republic of Tajikistan on the topic “Overview of the drug situation in Tajikistan in 2022”.

The event was attended by leaders and representatives of UN member states, international organizations and civil society.

The main trends in the drug situation in the country, as well as the measures taken by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, international and public organizations in the field of drug control and drug addiction prevention, including the strengthening of the State Border and the development of international cooperation, as well as the implementation of anti-drug programs in country.

In turn, the Director of CARICC in his speech emphasized that Tajikistan is actively contributing to the fight against international drug trafficking. The annual preparation and publication by the Drug Control Agency of the “Overview of the Drug Situation in the Republic of Tajikistan” is a contribution to the process of analyzing regional trends in drug trafficking and abuse.

On March 15, 2023 in Vienna, within the framework of the 66th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the CARICC delegation headed by Director Yazlyev A.O. took part in a side event organized by Turkmenistan jointly with the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia on the topic “Active dialogue in the prevention of illicit drug use”. CARICC also acted as a co-organizer of this event.

The event was attended by the heads of the competent authorities of the CARICC member states, representatives of UNODC in Vienna, as well as permanent missions of countries to international organizations in Vienna, international and regional organizations.

The organizers of the event provided information on the measures taken by Turkmenistan to prevent the illegal use of narcotic drugs, including the implementation of initiatives in the country in the fight against drug trafficking, as well as a number of other aspects related to the prevention of drug addiction.

The Director of CARICC A. Yazlyev, in his speech noted the importance of the measures taken by Turkmenistan aimed at preventing the illegal use of narcotic drugs, including measures to combat drugs and prevent drug addiction in general.

Meanwhile, taking into account the development of the current drug situation in the region, the intensification of joint efforts in the fight against transnational and organized drug crime, the strengthening of international cooperation, as well as the development of an active dialogue in the anti-drug sphere with the full support of UNODC was emphasized in order to coordinate the efforts of the entire world community.

He also noted that Turkmenistan, being a member of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs for 2020-2023, initiates joint coordinated actions in the fight against drugs and actively promotes international and regional cooperation in the field of drug trafficking.

Along with this, an initiative was also expressed to solve problems through the prism of CARICC, which has a set of tools to unite the efforts of the competent authorities of the countries of the region in the fight against transnational organized drug crime and drug trafficking.

On March 14, 2023, on the sidelines of the 66th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, a meeting of the CARICC delegation headed by Director Yazlyev took place with representatives of the International Criminal Police Organization «Interpol».

The Director of CARICC informed about the current activities of the Center, as one of the large-scale and significant projects of UNODC in Central Asia, the drug situation in the countries of Central Asia, as well as the main activities of the Center, the results achieved and plans for the near future.

The parties discussed issues of interaction between CARICC and Interpol in the area of information exchange on the drug situation and the fight against cross-border organized drug crime.

The meeting participants also discussed a number of current and future issues of mutual interest.

On March 14, 2023, following the results of the side event held by CARICC, a meeting was held with Director Yazlyev A.O. with the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kairat Umarov.

During the meeting, issues of cooperation in the field of combating drug trafficking, as well as a number of other issues related to the activities of CARICC were discussed.

Information was provided on the measures taken to address the issues of financing CARICC by donor countries, including measures that provide for assistance by the Center in conducting special anti-drug operations, including controlled deliveries.

Mr. K. Umarov confirmed his interest in further development and strengthening of cooperation with CARICC, and also expressed Kazakhstan's support in considering

issues of ensuring its uninterrupted functioning.

 At the same time, the Director of CARICC expressed gratitude to the Kazakh side for the support provided to the activities of the Center, including financial ones, and also expressed hope for further support in resolving issues of developing the activities of the Organization.