International scientific and practical conference "For a Drug-Free World" was held on 27 October 2023 in Almaty at the premises of the Makan Yesbulatov Almaty Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Participants included representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Justice of Kyrgyzstan, the U.S. Embassy in Astana, experts from UNODC and other international organizations, and CARICC delegation headed by Director A. Yazlyyev.

In the course of the conference participants reviewed the problem of distribution of synthetic drugs, including via the Internet. Special attention was paid to the creation of a modern system of primary prevention of drug addiction with effective state and social control. Following results of discussions, priority directions were developed to effectively address the issues of combating drug crime.

Meeting of the Steering Committee of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025 was held on 24-25 October 2023 at CARICC.

This meeting was organized by the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia.

This event was aimed at discussing main achievements of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia in 2023 and implementation of projects, and to coordinate the Work Plan for 2024 of the Programme.  

It was attended by heads and officers of border agencies, customs services, internal affairs bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, international partners, and also experts from the UNODC Programme Offices in Central Asia and CARICC.

Experts of UNODC Programme Offices in Central Asia presented information on the progress of implementation of components of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia in 2023, and negotiated the Work Plan for 2024 within the framework of the Programme.  

In addition, CARICC experts prepared presentations and reports on current drug situation in the region and on a joint initiative with UNODC to set up a regional information and communication network bringing together all competent authorities of the Central Asian countries.

Participants underscored the importance of interaction by enhancing international cooperation, sharing positive experiences and further developing relations in the area of countering transnational organized crime.

Mr. Atageldi Yazlyyev, CARICC Director, met with Mr. Alan Cole, Chief of Border Management Branch, UNODC, and Mr. Tofiq Murshudlu, Head of Coordination, Border Management Branch, UNODC, in Almaty on 25 October this year.

During the meeting CARICC Director informed on the Centre's efforts in its two main areas: coordination of international operations to combat drug trafficking, and collection, collation and analysis of information on drug situation.

UNODC representatives highlighted CARICC as an important element in UNODC's project implementation work, including those related to border management. UNODC expressed support for CARICC as it undergoes transformation and transition to self-sustainability by the Centre's Member States.

Officers of the Faculty of Chief Staff Training (Faculty No. 1) of the Almaty Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs visited CARICC on 20 October 2023.  Senior investigators of the Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan also participated in the meeting.

Participants were briefed on major directions of the Centre's work and prospects of its development, CARICC analytical products, current drug situation in Member States, and information on current situation in Afghanistan.

Constructive exchange of opinions and experience in counternarcotics field also took place during the event.

As a result of the visit, participants were given CARICC informational and analytical materials for use in their professional practice.