UNODC convenes regional meeting of steering groups for cross-border cooperation projects – Theforgegastown

On 24 and 25 October, UNODC held in Almaty (Kazakhstan) an annual regional meeting of the Steering Committees established under the UNODC Regional Project on Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation by Strengthening the Capacity of Border Liaison Offices in Central Asia. This initiative is part of Sub-programme 1 Preventing and Countering Transnational Organized Crime of the UNODC Central Asia Program 2022 – 2025.

The event brought together more than 35 representatives from Central Asian law enforcement agencies, foreign ministries, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (CARICC) and UNODC.

The meeting aimed to present the project results and achievements, new initiatives and recommendations for the further implementation of the project.

Alan Cole, Head of the UNODC Border Management Branch, Vienna, emphasized that “integrated border management is becoming extremely important in today’s world. The kind of cooperation offered by border liaison agencies is more important than ever.”

Tofik Murshudlu, Head of Coordination at the UNODC Border Management Branch, Vienna, noted: “There is a need to improve cross-border cooperation. The project is one of the most impressive and successful examples of how it can be properly implemented, not only in Central Asia but also in other regions.”

“Strengthening cross-border cooperation is key not only to combating cross-border organized crime, but also to helping people cross borders safely, promoting legal trade and ensuring peace and security. Integrated border management is a response to addressing cross-border challenges and threats,” said Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia.

The representatives of the law enforcement agencies kept the participants informed about the implementation of the project in their respective countries. They stressed the importance of strengthening further cross-border cooperation and coordination of activities to more effectively tackle the threats of transnational organized crime in the region.

The project team gave presentations on the project results and achievements, including the establishment of situation and coordination centers within law enforcement agencies and interactive computer-based training classes in Central Asian states, a pilot project – national mobile application “My Border” launched in Kazakhstan and to be launched in other Central -Asian countries will be introduced, the development of a regional information and communication system (RICS) aimed at strengthening the existing communication systems of border liaison agencies, regional information campaigns aimed at increasing public awareness about illicit drugs, and publications and information materials developed within the project.

They also informed the participants about the plans for the further implementation of the project.

At the end of the meeting, participants discussed the proposed recommendations to strengthen integrated border management and improve cross-border law enforcement cooperation in the region.

For more information please contact:

Nurangez Abdulhamidova

Communications and external relationship specialist

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova(at)un.org