The UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme sustains the capacity of the Port Control Units in Uzbekistan

The UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme (CCP) builds capacity of Customs authorities in Uzbekistan to assist in enhancing the work on risk-informed profiling of cargo on selected sites and key points along the trade-and-transit corridors in the region.

The coordinated approach is ensured through a continuous consultation process with the Government beneficiaries by establishing and holding steering committee meetings to review the current state of cooperation, discuss the dynamic needs and priorities of beneficiary agencies, and agree upon further steps towards Programme goals and objectives.

Based on these, the Port Control Units (PCUs) are then equipped with basic search-and-detection tools, office and service hardware, drug detectors, which help them to pursue smart Customs control and achieve tangible results in suppressing illegal movement of goods.

These are further followed up through monitoring missions to the PCUs – the practice, representing a building block for generating the PCU staff’s dedication and ownership of the goals and objectives of the Programme.

On 11 May 2023, the regular national Steering Committee Meeting was held by UNODC CCP staff with the representatives of the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control (NCDC), Customs Committee under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Aviation Security Service of the Tashkent International Airport, responsible for cooperation under the Programme.

The overall progress of Programme implementation in Uzbekistan and the current priorities and needs of participating agencies within the Programme mandate were discussed, as well as future cooperation perspectives for the second half of 2023 were agreed upon by the Parties.

The meeting was followed by the regular quarterly monitoring visits to the PCUs and the Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU), deployed at the Customs posts Ayritom, Yallama, Chukursay, and Aviayuklar on 09-14 June 2023 to monitor the routine operation of the PCUs/ACCU and the efficiency of applying the resources provided by the Programme, as well as to discuss current needs and priorities of the Units.

Physical verification and monitoring of the effective use of the equipment and facilities, procured and equipped under the CCP were performed by the CCP staff jointly with the CCP National Focal Points (NFPs) from the NCDC and the Customs Committee. PCU members were commended for recent tangible results, including the seizure of 103.2 litres of methamphetamine in March 2023 by Ayritom PCU, and encouraged to further enhancing their expertise and profiling skills and continue their efforts on establishing a backtracking practice for such cases in cooperation with PCUs and ACCUs of respective source and transit countries. The demand for effective use of broad opportunities, offered through the CCP Inter-Regional Network of Customs Authorities and Port Control Units (IREN) was reiterated.

On 12 June 2023, the basic search and detection tools and office equipment were handed over to the Customs Committee under the Ministry of Economy and Finance for the Port Control Units and the National Information-Analytical Center on Drug Control of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In his welcoming remarks, Sardor Atashikov, CCP Regional Programme Coordinator in Central Asia commended Government’s efforts in establishing the sustainable Customs control system with an ultimate goal of further fine-tuning of the international trade facilitation mechanisms and reiterated the Programmer’s commitment to further its support to the Government in their noble aspirations and endeavors.

Ms. Irina Kochetkova, the EXBS representative at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent commended both UNODC and Government of Uzbekistan for a fruitful cooperation within the framework of the Programme and tangible results achieved so far in enhancing Customs control at the key trade and transit corridors.   

Mr. Ramil Kontyukov, Deputy Head of Customs Control and Clearance Department of the Customs Committee and Mr. Khusan Yusupov, Leading Expert of the NCDC expressed their appreciation with the current ever-growing level of the cooperation, as well as technical and consultative support, provided by UNODC within the framework of the Programme. National beneficiaries reiterated their commitment towards the CCP strategic goals and voiced out the hope for its further beneficial development.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia is funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program, and the Government of France.

More about Global CCP at: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/ccp/index.html

***

For more information, please contact Vasilina Brazhko (Ms.)

UNODC Communication and PR Specialist in Central Asia

At +996775987817 WhatsApp or Telegram or by

e-mail: vasilina.brazhko[at]un.org