26 February 2019, Dushanbe, Tajikistan - The International Scientific-Practical Conference on Effective Measures for Countering International Terrorism, Extremism, Drug Trafficking, Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons as Major Border Security Threats of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Member States was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Central Asia (UNODC) and the Border Guard Forces of the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan. This event focused on discussion of the evolving situation and the importance of fostering cooperation within the framework of the CIS Council of Border Troops, other regional and international organizations to increase the effectiveness of the fight against new challenges and threats to border security.
Speaking at the conference, Mr. Saymumin Yatimov, Chairman of the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan, stated "One of the key functions of any nation is to ensure security and territorial integrity of the state while taking into account the geopolitical considerations, as well as factors of terrorist consciousness - goals, attempts and actions of terrorist groups. At the same time, countries need to align their foreign policy actions with the political will to predict the terrorist consciousness, taking into account the specifics of the region".
"Today, transnational organized crime, especially drug trafficking and terrorism, represent a threat to national, regional and international peace. Global proceeds of crime constitute illicit financial flows of over 1.6 trillion USD, of which, nearly third emanate of out drug trafficking. Opiate production and drug trafficking are at the center of a multi-billion-dollar illicit business which affects the rule of law, human rights, health of nations, as well as sustainable development of our societies" - noted Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia.
The Conference was attended by Border Guard Commanders from Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, Russian Federation, as well as experts from different divisions of the CIS Executive Committee, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for combating the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors (CARICC).
Experts discussed additional measures to counter the threats originating from Afghanistan and adopted the outcome document signed by Heads of Border Services of Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, Russian Federation, Secretary of the CIS Council of Border Troops and UNODC.
UNODC is committed to assist Member States in all aspects of strengthening border management in the region, including cross-border collaboration. Under the border cooperation component of Sub-Programme 1, UNODC supports efforts of Central Asian countries to strengthen law enforcement responses to border security threats within the framework of the 2015-2019 UNODC Program for Central Asia.
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