UNODC: "Regional cooperation key in countering drug routes in Central Asia"

On 14th June 2011, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, met with the President and several key leaders in Kazakhstan to discuss the country's and region's ongoing efforts in curbing drug use, illicit trafficking, and organized and financial crime. Kazakhstan - as with several Central Asian countries - is situated on an important route of Afghan heroin towards the key markets in Europe and has a key role to play in the fight against drugs.

Mr. Fedotov's discussions covered a wide range of topics surrounding UNODC's cooperation with Kazakh authorities, including illicit drug trafficking, corruption, anti-money laundering and others. He commended Kazakhstan's commitment towards its anti-drug response, in particular the efforts behind the current 2009-2011 national drug control programme which was boosted through the Government's US$ 270 million allocation. Nationally, UNODC is currently working with authorities to strengthen Kazakhstan's counter-narcotics identification expertise along the country's main transportation routes, while additionally working with selected schools on a pilot-basis to address drug use amongst students.

On a regional-level Mr. Fedotov spoke of the importance of Central Asia's role in the fight against transnational heroin trafficking: "The Central Asian states are presented with a geographical challenge in the international drug fight. Countries such as Kazakhstan are on the frontline of the flow of Afghan heroin headed towards the West. The work in countering organized crime and drug trafficking, which I am pleased to see is increasingly taking on a cooperative approach, is so critical to international safety and security."

Elaborating on UNODC's work in Central Asia, Mr. Fedotov noted that efforts are being made to move towards a more integrated, regional approach in order to leverage strategic and inter-linked responses to the issue of drugs and crime.

Lastly Mr. Fedotov spoke on the regional partnership which will be further enhanced through the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries covering Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. UNODC facilitates greater strategic cohesion and better planning of the cooperation among all actors in the region in order to provide a more effective barrier to the flow of drugs from Afghanistan.

Click here to read the full article on the UNODC website.

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