A working meeting with a delegation from the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan (UNODC) was held at CARICC building on 6 October 2025.

Meeting was aimed at discussing priority areas of cooperation between CARICC and UNODC, exchanging views on current projects and future initiatives.

Participants in the working meeting included:

from UNODC

- Mr. Oliver Stolpe, Regional Representative, Head of Delegation;

- Ms. Madina Sarieva, International Coordinator of the UNODC Programme Office in Kazakhstan,

- Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator,

- Mr. Aliaksandr Vadziany, UNODC Advisor on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing,

- Mr. Sardor Atashikov, UNODC Regional Coordinator for Passenger and Cargo Control.

From CARICC: Director M.T. Khamidov, Advisors A.A. Erkaboev and R.T. Ilyasov, Analyst B.A. Avazzoda.

CARICC Director M. Khamidov presented up-to-date information on the Centre's activities, including measures to optimize its organizational structure, develop new areas of work (in particular, in cyberspace and on synthetic drugs), modernize information and analytical resources, address financial sustainability issues, and expand geography of cooperation.

Special attention was paid to cooperation with the UNODC Information Center for Research and Analysis of Transnational Threats in the Region located in Tashkent, as well as to preparation of joint analytical papers and development of a plan of joint activities.

UNODC delegation expressed high appreciation for the initiatives presented and confirmed its readiness to provide expert and technical support. Proposals were also made for CARICC's participation in upcoming regional and international events, including seminars on precursor control and drug crime investigation, as well as a study visit to China and a meeting with representatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

During the meeting, CARICC proposed considering the possibility of holding an international scientific and practical conference on “International and regional cooperation in combating drug trafficking along the Trans-Caspian transport corridor,” in partnership with UNODC and with the support of the European Union.

Following the meeting parties confirmed their commitment to expanding practical cooperation, exchanging experience, and working together to combat drug trafficking and transnational crime in the region.

Overall, the meeting was a constructive and meaningful dialogue, during which a mutual agreement was reached on further pursuing and strengthening cooperation between UNODC and CARICC.