On March 7, 2022, in Doha (Qatar), a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (CARICC) and the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf represented by the Criminal Information Center to Combat Drugs (GCC-CIC).

The document was signed at the level of the Director of CARICC, Major General of Militia Miralizoda Rustam Aziz and the Director of GCC-CIC, Brigadier General Saqr bin Rashid Al Muraihi.

Under the Memorandum, the parties can exchange relevant information, assist in organizing, conducting and coordinating activities to combat organized cross-border drug crime, as well as participate in joint working meetings, consultations and training courses.

The Parties act as permanent regional information and coordination interstate bodies that assist in organizing, conducting and coordinating joint international operations to combat drug trafficking, as well as collect, store, protect, analyze and exchange information related to illegal drug trafficking.

The GCC-CIC was established in 2007 and headquartered in Doha, Qatar, to assist the efforts of the Gulf countries in the fight against illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and the control of precursors.

In the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, on March 3-4 this year, with the participation of representatives of Central Asian countries and a wide range of international organizations, a high-level international conference "Regional cooperation between the states of Central Asia in the framework of a joint action plan for the implementation of the UN global counter-terrorism strategy" was held.

During the event, the participants strongly condemned terrorism in all its manifestations, as it is one of the most serious threats to peace and security. This thesis is enshrined in the Tashkent Declaration on 3^rd of March by its participants.

The countries that signed the document agreed to continue efforts to promote professional, interethnic and intercultural tolerance and dialogue, as well as to prevent discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion. “Terrorism should not and cannot be associated with any religion, nationality or ethnic group,” the document says.

In addition, the declaration notes that Central Asia has become the first region to develop a regional action plan for the implementation of the UN global counter-terrorism strategy and assume obligations for its implementation.

On the margins of the conference, the delegation of CARICC headed by its Director Major General of Militia Miralizoda R.A. held a number of meetings with international partners on expanding cooperation.

Representatives of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, Ms. Albina Yakubova and Mr. Otabek Rashidov, were informed about the current activities of CARICC, its prospects and plans for further organization of work in the main areas of the anti-drug track.

The methods and mechanisms of interaction developed by the Center in the practical plane with the member states and international organizations were especially emphasized. In this vein, it is noted that due to this, it is advisable to consider the possibility of using the potential of CARICC not only in the fight against drugs, but also in countering international organized crime, terrorism, extremism, human trafficking and cybercrime.

Also, colleagues from the OSCE were informed about the ongoing work to expand membership in CARICC, including the acquisition of observer status by Iran and Sweden, as well as the study of the issue of Turkey joining it.

As a result of the meeting, agreements were reached on the continuation and further development of close contacts between CARICC and the OSCE in the field of combating transnational crime, holding joint events, including on issues of donor assistance.

In the context of the development of the situation in Afghanistan, a meeting was held with the UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, Ms. Ashita Mitall.

Director of CARICC Mr. Miralizoda R.A. noted that the Center closely monitors its development in the context of new challenges and threats of drug trafficking not only for Central Asia, but for the whole world.

Following in the footsteps of the decisions of the heads of member states, CARICC conducted and sent to all states and international organizations for practical use an in-depth analysis of the situation in Afghanistan.

It provides for an assessment of new challenges, threats and risks of drug trafficking, as well as a forecast and prospects for the development of the drug situation in Afghanistan and neighboring countries.

In this context, the importance of expanding cooperation between CARICC and the states of the region and international organizations was emphasized.

A special role in the implementation of existing initiatives should be played by proper funding of CARICC, both through voluntary contributions from the member states, and taking into account donor countries and potential partners.

Ms. A. Mitall also noted the achievements of CARICC and the results of its activities and emphasized the importance of the Center on the anti-drug track in the Central Asian region.

Among the important priorities, she also identified the need for sufficient funding for the Center, which is the key to its development and is consistent with the main directions for the implementation of the main UNODC programs in the region.

As a result, a number of decisions were made aimed at expanding cooperation in the format of CARICC and UNODC, as well as taking joint measures to ensure sufficient funding for the activities of the Center.

On March 3, 2022, a webinar “International drug trafficking: Area of​distribution, current channels of transportation” was held in the form of a videoconference, organized by the Regional Office for Institutional Development of the European Region of the World Customs Organization (ROCB), which was attended by representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (CARICC), the Anti-Drug Training Academy (NEA) in Turkey, the OSCE Program Office in Bishkek, the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and representatives of the customs services of the states of the European region.

The head of the ROCB, Mr. Eser Chengel, and the Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Asker Abdullayev, addressed the participants of the webinar with welcoming words.

In his presentations, the representative of UNODC highlighted some aspects of drug trafficking before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic at the regional and global level.

Analyst of the IAP CARICC, Ms. Tatiana Evdokimova, made a presentation to the webinar participants on international drug trafficking, taking into account the modern assessment of the drug threat from Afghanistan and the current channels for transporting drugs of Afghan origin, as well as the latest trends in the fight against drug trafficking.

Representatives of Turkey, the OSCE Program Office in Bishkek and the Intelligence and Investigation Department of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan also spoke at the webinar.

The participants addressed the organizers and international experts with questions, an exchange of views took place, the importance of close international cooperation in the anti-drug sphere between customs structures and international partners was emphasized.

On February 23, 2022, a meeting was held in CARICC with the United Nations delegation headed by the UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Kazakhstan Michaela Friberg-Storey.

During the negotiations, the UN delegation was informed about the current activities of CARICC in terms of organizing and coordinating international operations to combat drug trafficking. The analytical work of the Center for the collection, compilation and analysis of information in the field of drug control is highlighted. At the same time, emphasis was placed on the analysis of the drug situation in Afghanistan, including the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing, taking into account the economic and financial crisis in this country.

Information on CARICC assistance in conducting anti-drug operations with the participation of member states and observers of the Center, as well as other countries of Asia and Europe was also provided/

Michaela Friberg-Storey highly appreciated the activities of CARICC in the region and noted the importance of further strengthening relations with CARICC for the implementation of the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.