Representative of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors participated in an online meeting of the Regional Working Group on Forensic Capacity and illicit Drugs (RWGFD) on 22 October 2020 convened under the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries, organized by the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia.

The meeting was attended by delegations from the Regional Programme countries (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Republic of Uzbekistan) and experts from the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), CARICC and UNODC global programmes.

The event discussed the latest trends related to narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues and precursors in the region of West and Central Asia, as well as organization of forensic examination. Delegations from countries participating in the Regional Working Group also provided information on national priorities in this area.

A representative of CARICC made a presentation at the online meeting on “CARICC work on regional coordination of efforts to combat drug trafficking”.

Online meeting of the Regional Working Group resulted in recommendations containing regional responses, including a strategy and plans for joint action.

Participants stressed the importance of cooperation by expanding international cooperation, sharing good practices and conducting events in this format in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.