On February 10, 2022, representatives of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors took part online in the regular Regional Expert Meeting of analytical divisions employees of the competent authorities of the member states on the cross-border cooperation component under the UNODC Program for the states of Central Asia, organized by the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia.

The meeting was attended by representatives of analytical units of the border agencies, customs services, ministries of internal affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as experts from the UNODC Program Offices in Central Asia and CARICC.

During this event, the International Coordinator of the UNODC Program in Central Asia, Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov, delivered a welcoming speech.

During the meeting, delegations provided information on the implementation of the UNODC Program component and its impact on the situation in the field of border security and cross-border cooperation in the region, the activities of the established centers for coordination and monitoring of border interaction offices, as well as information on the results achieved, including planned activities envisaged under the Border Cooperation Component.

In accordance with the program of the meeting, the CARICC employee showed a presentation on the topic: “CARICC Information and Communication System”.

As a result of the event, the main priorities of the competent authorities of the Central Asian states on strengthening state borders were identified, relevant recommendations were developed, in particular, UNODC was recommended to continue to provide assistance in the study, implementation and application of modern analytical products, the organization of training courses and the technical equipment of the Situation / Coordination Centers, and joint action plans were discussed, including the further development of the UNODC Program component using the potential of CARICC.

The participants emphasized the importance of interaction through the expansion of international cooperation, the exchange of positive experience and the further development of relations in the field of border security and combating transnational drug crime.