Second regional working meeting of Steering Committees established under the Border Component of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia was held on September 30, 2020 within the framework of the Sub-Programme 1 “Countering Transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and preventing terrorism” of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia.

The meeting was moderated by Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator. In her opening speech, Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative, thanked all beneficiaries of the regional project for their strong commitment and expressed her readiness for a continued partnership in combating drug trafficking in the region.

Project beneficiaries from all participating countries in Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, who took part in the working meeting, presented update on achieved results, as well as planned activities under the Border Component.

CARICC was represented at the online meeting by Mr. Yury Chikalov, Acting Head of IAP. In accordance with agenda, he delivered a presentation on “Illicit trafficking of drugs in Central Asia before and during COVID-19 pandemic” and provided details on the Centre's engagement in implementation of the component in recent years.

During the meeting, national programme managers and UNODC partners from each member country informed the meeting about the progress made so far in implementing the project amidst the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the region and in countries. They also touched upon the project work plan, which needs to be reviewed with regard to quarantine restrictions. In addition, project team drew participants' attention to national and regional events and trainings planned for October-December 2020.