Phase II (2016 - 2019) of UNODC's Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries launched
31 May, Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyz Republic
Phase II of the United Nation's Regional Programme (RP) for Afghanistan and Countries was launched at a Programme Steering Committee Meeting of Ministers / Heads of Drug Agencies of Member States and senior representatives from embassies of donor countries at Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyz Republic.
The launch of Phase II (which will cover 2016 - 2019) is a result of extensive discussions with RP Member States following their unanimous request for the Programme's continuation at last year's Steering Committee meeting that took place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Development of the Phase II involved discussions with over 150 individuals representing key partner Ministries, agencies and counterparts in Member States to inform drafting and finalization of the programme document.
The second phase of the RP is a more ambitious programme that builds on successes from the first phase, including lessons learned and recommendations from the recent independent evaluation of the programme.
The RP will continue to promote regional cooperation in drug control in West and Central Asia and beyond across four thematic areas of law enforcement, international legal cooperation in criminal matters, prevention and treatment of drug dependence among vulnerable groups, and trends and impacts.
The Programme Steering Committee included remarks from Heads of Delegations from RP Member States as well as statements from representatives of donor countries including Russia, Germany, the European Union, Italy, Finland and the U.S.A.
There was universal agreement on the importance of regional cooperation to developing and implementing effective responses to tackling the illegal cultivation, trafficking and use of narcotics in the region and beyond.
Attendees were presented with a Brochure outlining key components of Phase II of the RP and also a Good-News Booklet detailing major achievements from Phase 1. Both of these publications (and other materials related to the RP) are available on the RP's website - www.unodc.org/rpanc
Going forward, support of the international community will be crucial in delivering the ambitious programme outlined in Phase II of the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries.
Our sincere gratitude to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic for their kind generosity in hosting the Programme Steering Committee Meeting.