The Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries Concludes the 7th Annual Programme Steering Committee Meeting
Zagreb, Republic of Croatia, 28 June 2018
The 7th Steering Committee Meeting of the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries was hosted by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, Zagreb on 28 June 2018. The Steering Committee Meeting was opened by H.E. Salamat Azimi, Minister of Counter Narcotics of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Mr. Alexandre Schmidt, Chief of the UNODC Regional Section for Europe, West and Central Asia.
During the meeting, senior representatives from Drug Control Agencies, Financial Intelligence Units, Ministries of Interior, Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Missions from six countries of the Regional Programme (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Turkmenistan) as well as donors, reviewed the achievements made under the Programme in 2017, discussed and agreed on operational priorities for 2018 and future strategic direction.
The UNODC's Chief for Europe, West and Central Asia, Mr. Alexandre Schmidt thanked the Member States and donor countries for their continuous commitment in the operationalization of UNODC's counter-narcotics efforts and emphasized the pivotal role they played in the successful implementation of the Programme during the II phases. Furthermore, Mr Schmidt highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in counter-narcotics and hoped for further mutual support.
H.E. Minister Salamat Azimi, Minister of Counter Narcotics of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan reiterated once again the readiness and political will of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to fully cooperate with all countries in the region and beyond, in the fight against drugs. Additionally, Minister Azimi highlighted the critical importance of regional and inter-regional cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and thanked UNODC and the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries for providing solid support to the region.