UNODC Milestones United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime January, 2010 Regional Office for Central Asia

CENTRAL ASIA INTELLIGENCE-SHARING CENTRE INAUGURATED IN

On 9 December, the Central Asia Re- Representative Miroslav Jenca who is Centre, ideally a significant decrease gional Information and Coordination also Head of the UN Regional Centre of drug trafficking though our coun- Centre (CARICC) was inaugurated in for Preventive Diplomacy for Central tries and a reduction of the drug Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Centre is Asia. “This transnational problem threat in general.” part of on-going efforts to strengthen requires a regional solution,” said the Counter-narcotics partnership in law enforcement cooperation among Secretary-General’s message. Central Asia has been strengthened countries on the front line of drug “CARICC will facilitate the exchange over the past few years among Mem- trafficking from Afghanistan. Accord- of intelligence to identify and disrupt ber States of the Memorandum of ing to estimates from the United Na- trafficking networks, strengthen re- Understanding (MoU) on Sub- tions Office on Drugs and Crime gional criminal justice capacity, and regional Drug Control Cooperation (UNODC), 75-80 tons of heroin are build security and confidence among which includes the five countries of trafficked annually from Afghanistan neighbours,” said Mr. Jenca on behalf Central Asia, the Russian Federation, to the Russian Federation via Central of the Secretary-General. “The Centre , UNODC and the Aga Asia. Only around 5 percent is seized also offers an opportunity to Khan Development Network. On 8-9 in the region. strengthen partnership among organi- December, the 8th review meeting of Drug trafficking through Central Asia zations active in the region, including the MOU was hosted by Kazakhstan. “poses a threat to security by enrich- the United Nations, SCO, the OSCE, Francis Maertens, Deputy Executive ing and empowering criminal groups the EU, NATO, CSTO, CIS, ECO(*) Director of UNODC, hailed CARICC and anti-government forces; it under- and others,” he said. as “one of the major achievements of mines development by creating insta- “The Centre is a concrete achieve- the MoU states, of which we can all bility and widening corruption, and it ment of our common efforts,” said be proud”. He stressed that Central poses a risk to health by spreading Kairat Umarov, Deputy Minister of Asia benefits from UNODC’s largest drug addiction and HIV”, warned the Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. “I hope regional drug and crime portfolio UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that in the nearest future we’ll be able (US$78 million a year and rising). in a message delivered by his Special to see the results of the work of the 2 UNODC Published by the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

Cooperation

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING:

STRENGTHENING REGIONAL COOPERATION

The 8th MoU review meeting was or- as well as on agreeing on the need for cooperation with Afghanistan; or- ganized by the Government of Kazakh- a more balanced approach for the law ganization in 2010 of the Ministerial stan in line with its obligations under enforcement cooperation to be com- level meeting under the Paris Pact the MoU on sub-regional drug control bined by the interaction in demand framework; further elaboration of cooperation signed in 1996. reduction, treatment and rehabilita- UNODC Regional Programme for The meeting was divided into the ex- tion areas. Central Asia and South Caucasus to pert and high level segments. The The high level segment was addressed be sent to the MOU states for consid- expert level session was focused on on behalf of the UN Secretary- eration; revival of the "6+3" political the discussion of the situation in Af- General by Ambassador Mr. Jenča, mechanism to address the situation ghanistan and it's implication to the Special Representative of the UN Sec- in Afghanistan. Some of these provi- MOU region as well as on the pros- retary-General, Head of the Regional sions that were supported by all dele- pects for further cooperation. The Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for gations were reflected in the MOU Working group on elaboration of the Central Asia. UNODC delegation was Declaration. The latter was adopted final document of the 8th MOU led by Mr. Francis Maertens, Deputy without any change at the high level meeting was resulted in agreeing on Executive Director of UNODC, who MOU segment on 9 December by all the text of the Declaration which was addressed the meeting on behalf of MOU members except . subsequently approved at the high the UNODC Executive Director. The MOU meeting was combined level segment on 9 December. During the MOU discussion the fol- with inauguration of CARICC, which The expert level meeting was instru- lowing main ideas were put forward: was attended by more than 100 rep- mental in initiating discussion on the elaboration of an action plan under resentatives from MOU members draft UNODC Regional Programme, the MOU framework aimed at better and observers. Published by the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia UNODC 3

Cooperation

FIFTEEN YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP IN CENTRAL ASIA

The year 2009 marks the 15th anni- der liaison offices. National projects gion and beyond. Azerbaijan and the versary of UNODC’s full-fledged focus on the establishment of dedi- Russian Federation subsequently presence in Central Asia. Now, 15 cated drug law enforcement bodies, joined the MOU. UNODC is proud years after the establishment of the such as Drug Control Agencies, bor- of being part of these efforts and im- UNODC Regional Office for Central der security and mobile interdiction plements a number of regional ac- Asia in 1993, UNODC has offices with units. tivities in the context of the MOU. ongoing project activities in all the It was just 15 years ago that the Cen- During these past 15 years, UNODC Central Asian states and Azerbaijan. tral Asian states started engaging in has enjoyed continuous support by UNODC’s programme portfolio has drug control cooperation by estab- and recognition from international almost tripled in volume and cover- lishing their first national drug con- partners. It is with great apprecia- age. It has grown from few projects in trol institutions and competent au- tion, therefore, that UNODC would 1993 to 26 million dollars in 2004, to thorities, developing legal bases for like to acknowledge the role of the almost 70 million dollars in 2009, and drug control in line with the United European Commission, the informal it continues to expand. With a heavy Nations drug control conventions initiative of the Foreign Anti- emphasis on counter-narcotics assis- and protocols, and fine-tuning na- Narcotics Community (FANC), the tance, the Regional Office manages an tional strategies and action plans. NATO-Russia Council, the Mini- integrated program that links major Now, Central Asian governments Dublin Group in Central Asia, national counter-narcotics projects in have significantly advanced in all OCHA, the OSCE, the Supreme every country in the region with re- these areas. Development of the Court of Uzbekistan, CARHAP, gional projects focusing on intelli- Memorandum of Sub-Regional Drug UNDP, UNOHCHR, UNICEF, the gence-led investigations and regional Control Cooperation of 4 May 1996 UN Regional Centre for Preventive cooperation, including the Central between the Central Asia states, the Diplomacy for Central Asia, WHO, Asia Regional Information and Coor- Aga Khan Development Network and the World Bank as well as the donor dination Centre (CARICC), precursor UNODC was a milestone in the estab- countries and organizations that controls, Computer-Based Training lishment of a regional cooperation made this success possible. (CBT), controlled deliveries and bor- framework in the Central Asian re-

“SYSTEM OF DRUG CONTROL WAS DEVELOPED IN THE REGION”

General Rustam Nazarov, director The year 2009 marks 15 years of the oped in the region due to UNODC’s of the Drug Control Agency under the presence of the United Nations Of- support. As a result, we have today a Prezident of the Republic of fice on Drugs and Crime in the drug control system which is on line Central Asian region. Let’s not for- with international norms and re- get that it was the time of collapse of spective UN conventions. Pro- Soviet Union. It was not simple grammes of Complex Measures on time for the countries of the region; Countering Drug Abuse and Illicit there was a lack of cooperation be- Drug Trafficking were developed tween them. Drugs flow was in- and implemented in each country. creasingly affecting the Central The Drug Control Agency under the Asian states and posed a threat to President of Tajikistan, which was their stability and security. established with UNODC’s assis- UNODC’s presence in the region tance, is part of this regional coop- helped to unite efforts and contrib- eration. In 10 years, the DCA seized uted to strengthening regional co- more than 9.5 tons of drugs having operation. During these 15 years, only 400 staff members. I believe your office provided comprehensive that the support provided to coun- assistance in strengthening law en- tries is UNODC’s main achieve- forcement capacities as well as re- ment for 15 years of cooperation gional cooperation. I would say that with the Central Asian countries. a system of drug control was devel- 4 UNODC Published by the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

Conference WorkshopsParis -Pact Initiative

EXPERTS DISCUSS WHERE DRUG MONEY GOES

The Technical Working Group meet- World Customs Organization). Regarding the implementation of ing on financial flows linked to the The technical Working Group dis- Recommendation III, the partici- illicit production and trafficking of cussed, in particular, the implemen- pants suggested that the relevant Fi- Afghan opiates was held on 2-3 No- tation of recommendations I nancial Intelligence Units (FIUs) vember 2009 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. [Increase the knowledge] and III from the jurisdictions affected by the The meeting was a first attempt to [Increase national and international illicit Afghan opiate financial flows gather concerned countries and rele- cooperation] of the Paris Pact Orange should meet on a regular basis to vant international organizations to Paper action plan. Regarding the im- exchange knowledge and share ex- discuss how to concretely implement plementation of Recommendation I, perience regarding the financial flows the recommendations contained in a draft questionnaire was developed to/from Afghanistan derived from the Paris Pact Orange paper, which with the purpose to assess lessons Afghan drug trade. More precisely, have been endorsed by Paris Pact learned, methods used and possible the concerned FIUs will be expected policy makers in December 2008.The challenges faced by Paris Pact part- to present/share information on in- working group included experts from ners and affected countries in dealing dividuals, entities or groups linked to and gathered experts from 8 countries with financial flows linked to the il- drug production and trafficking of- (namely Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, licit production and trafficking of fences and their laundering, the sec- , Pakistan, the Russian Afghan opiates. The draft question- tors where drug money is being in- Federation, United Kingdom, the naire will be circulated to all Paris jected and reintegrated, how is the United States and Uzbekistan) as well Pact partners and concerned coun- money circulated, etc. It was decided as 4 international organizations tries and organizations for comments that the first FIUs meeting should (EurAsian Group on money- prior to submission to relevant part- take place around mid-May 2010. laundering, , UNODC and ners in January 2010.

UNODC INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO FIGHT CORRUPTION GLOBALLY AND REGIONALLY

"Since corruption hurts us all, we must Doha, countries agreed to a mecha- tical and result-oriented workshops all unite to fight it," nism to monitor implementation of for public officials and civil society, Mr. Antonio Maria Costa the United Nations Convention of media campaigns to encourage the against Corruption (UNCAC). The reporting of acts of corruption, and Executive Director, United Nations legally binding Convention obliges modules on ethics and good govern- Office on Drugs and Crime. 142 countries to prevent and crimi- ance for inclusion in the training

nalize corruption, promote interna- programmes for law enforcement, Corruption poses a serious challenge tional cooperation, recover stolen prosecutorial and judicial personnel, to all countries. In the political realm, assets, and improve technical assis- as well as in the country's education it undermines democracy and good tance and information exchange. system. This wide-reaching project is governance by flouting or even sub- Now, all countries will be monitored the first of its kind in the region and verting formal processes. In the econ- every five years to see how they are will serve as a model for future pro- omy, corruption undermines entre- living up to their obligations. jects in Central Asia. preneurship and discourages invest- While progress is taking place glob- This year, on International Anti- ment by generating considerable dis- ally, it is also taking place regionally. Corruption Day (9 December), the tortions and inefficiency. United Na- In Uzbekistan, a new anti-corruption United Nations Office on Drugs and tions Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon project is set to begin in 2010. The Crime (UNODC) and the United has warned that corruption kills de- two-year project is aimed at establish- Nations Development Programme velopment, and is one of the biggest ing a more solid foundation to pre- (UNDP) are joining forces to raise impediments to reaching the Millen- vent and combat corruption through awareness about the devastating ef- nium Development Goals. effective implementation of the UN- fects of corruption through the In response to this threat, UNODC is CAC. Activities such as the elabora- “Your NO to corruption counts!” becoming increasingly active in pre- tion of a National Anti-Corruption campaign. venting corruption. On 13 November Action Plan, the organization of prac- at the Conference of States Parties in UNODC 5 Published by the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

Project activities

MODERN CHALLENGES TO UNODC SECURITY AND STABILITY IN PUBLICATIONS ENTRAL SIA C A The Compendium of International Legal Instruments related to Human Rights Protection and Countering Crime (1000 The Senior Legal Adviser deliv- to Security and Stability in copies) was developed and published by ered two presentations on the Central Asia” held from 1 to 3 ROCA/GLO900 at the request of the Re- main requirements of the UN December in Almaty, Kazakh- search Centre under the Supreme Court CAC in the areas of prevention, stan. The seminar was aimed at of the Republic of Uzbekistan within the criminalization, international familiarizing the students from framework of cooperation based on the cooperation and asset recovery, Central Asian countries with Memorandum of Understanding signed and relevant challenges in Cen- major contemporary threats to between UNODC/ROCA and the Su- tral Asian countries, as well as security and contributing to preme Court. The Compendium is de- organized an interactive game reviving of so called Central signed for the use by judges and aimed at and moderated a session on cor- Asian Youth Network. About familiarizing them with the main UN in- ruption at the OSCE Central 37 students from all 5 Central struments on human rights and UNODC Asian Student Leadership Semi- Asian countries participated in mandated conventions to directly refer to nar entitled “Modern Challenges the Seminar. them when delivering justice.

BRINGING NATIONAL LEGISLATION INTO COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

A legislative drafting workshop on terrorism instruments. There was pro- At the end of the seminar, an action the implementation of anti- ductive, item by item discussions of the plan was adopted by the Kazakh terrorism instruments in the do- proposals among the participants of the Government together with represen- mestic law of the Republic of Ka- seminar, during which changes and tatives of Terrorism Prevention zakhstan took place in Astana on amendments to the working paper were Branch, UNODC. 29 September-1 October 2009. agreed upon. The seminar was organized in cooperation with the US State Department, NSOI and the US Department of Justice, who con- tributed to the nuclear smuggling part of the seminar. The participants came from the General Prosecutor’s Office, Min- istry of Finance, Ministry of Inter- national Affairs, Legislative Insti- tute of the Ministry of Justice, Parliament and Customs Service. The seminar provided a form for discussing the analysis of Kazakh- stan’s legislation in terms of its compliance with the universal anti -terrorism instruments together with amendments and proposals on how to bring domestic legisla- tion into compliance with anti- 6 UNODC Published by the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

Events

LAW ENFORCEMENT MEETING ORGANIZED CRIME On 18 December 2009, UNODC, in part- following areas: combating illicit drug INVESTIGATION nership with the BOMCA-CADAP pro- trafficking, cross border cooperation, gramme, facilitated a end-year law enforce- HIV prevention public awareness and ment roundtable meeting. More than 50 the rights of vulnerable groups. The On 9-20 November, the participants from international organiza- roundtable, which has become an an- NATO-RUSSIA project on tions, embassies and national law enforce- nual event held at the end of the year, counter narcotics training ment agencies and the Ministry of Health of brings together all partners working for Afghan and Central attended. The national dele- on drug, crime and terrorism to dis- Asian law enforcement per- gation was headed by the chairman of the cuss their achievements for the year sonnel organized a two-week State Drug Coordination Committee. and shared their initial work plans for Drug Enforcement and Or- The roundtable discussions focused on the upcoming year. ganized Crime Investigations summing up the activities of 2009 in the Training for Tajik law en- forcement officers from the Drug Control Agency, Min- istry of Interior and State National Security Service. Trainees updated their pro- fessional skills during this training course conducted by a team of instructors from the Turkish International Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC). The training focused on dif- ferent aspects of drug law enforcement, surveillance, and methods and techniques of operational activities to target national and transna- tional organized criminal groups..

ONE MORE DRUG CHANNEL WAS TERMINATED WITH CARICC’S SUPPORT

An international operation to sup- Kazakhstan into Russia. As a result of seized. In September in the south of press the activities of transnational the successful operation, an interna- Kazakhstan, two similar operations drug trafficking groups was success- tional drug channel has been halted on drug supply prevention were car- fully completed on 18 October. The in Astana, Kazakhstan on 29 October. ried out. Additionally, on the 7 Sep- main objective of the operation was This success adds the CARICC’s re- tember in Maktaaralskiy region, an- drug supply prevention. It was man- cent accomplishments in assisting law other drug supply channel, which aged by NSC in cooperation with Fed- enforcement to fight international stretched from Tajikistan to Kazakh- eral Security Service of Russia (FSB) drug trafficking. In Rubtcovske town stan, was stopped. These interna- and Kyrgyz Governmental National (Altayskiy region of the Russian Fed- tional operations demonstrate Security Service. The operation, coor- eration (RF)), the Federal Security CARICC’s ability to directly contrib- dinated by Central Asian Regional Service Directorate (FSSD RF) ar- ute to the prevention of drug traf- Information and Coordination Cen- rested two recipients of drug ship- ficking. tre (CARICC), focused on drug traf- ments and 5.3 kg of heroin was ficking from Kyrgyz Republic through UNODC 7 Published by the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

HIV/AIDS

AIDS EPIDEMIC UPDATE RELEASED. MIXED REVIEWS FOR CENTRAL ASIA

On 25 November, UNAIDS released transmission exceeded 90% in East- provide care and support to people the AIDS Epidemic Update 2009. The ern Europe and Central Asia. The living with HIV and AIDS. From report outlined some worrying trends report also noted the changing pat- 2004-2008, UNODC ran two large- in Central Asia such as low antiretro- terns of the epidemic; In Central scale regional projects which sought viral treatment coverage. By Decem- Asia, epidemics that were once char- to prepare media to cover drug abuse ber 2008, 22% of adults in the Eastern acterized primarily by transmission prevention issues and increase the Europe and Central Asian region in among injecting drug users are now knowledge and skills of teachers, need of treatment were receiving it— increasingly characterized by signifi- schoolchildren, parents and commu- less than the global average for low- cant sexual transmission nity leaders on issues of healthy life- and middle-income countries (42%). UNODC, as a co-sponsor of the Joint styles, drugs and HIV/AIDS. Also of concern was the growing Programme on HIV and AIDS UNODC currently has one ongoing number of HIV cases: while globally (UNAIDS), is the lead agency for regional HIV prevention project the number of HIV cases increase by HIV and AIDS prevention and care “Effective HIV/AIDS prevention and 20% between 2001 and 2008, the among injecting and other drug users care among vulnerable populations Eastern Europe and Central Asian and in prison populations. Since the in Central Asia.” This project pro- region the number of cases increased first detected cases of HIV in the re- vides policy advice to Governments, by a staggering 67%. On the other gion, in the early 1990s, UNODC has has strengthened educational curric- hand, the report favorably reflected been working to stem the flood of ula for medical practitioners, and has the high coverage of services to pre- new cases in Central Asia. UNODC’s assisted national counterparts in de- vent mother-to-child HIV transmis- goal has been to assist States in imple- veloping five-year Action Plans on sion. In December 2008, the coverage menting large-scale and wide-ranging introducing and scaling up opiate of services to prevent mother-to-child interventions to prevent HIV and to substitution therapy.

EDUCATIONAL DAY FOR RISK GROUPS

UNDP and UNODC in cooperation educational events are held on the tainment and contest were included with National AIDS Center of Turk- regular basis. in the program and the winners were menistan conducted an educational This event promoted healthy life- awarded with valuable prizes. event for risk groups including sex styles, gender equality and human The project helped risk groups to workers and their partners. The event rights. The event went beyond discus- learn more about negative conse- took place in the Ashgabat nightclub sion of current social problems and quences of drug use. In addition, the “RUHYBELENT” on 29 November also prompted participants to suggest participants of the event will spread 2009. The event was aimed at raising ways of solving them. To stimulate the received information among their the awareness of risk groups about the the participants’ interest in the event peers; thereby raise the number of consequences of drug use. Similar and to make it more effective, enter- people reached by the project. 8 UNODC Published by the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia

UNODC COMMEMORATES WORLD AIDS DAY

In the framework of the UN Cares Epidemiology. He conveyed the mes- strategy, the UNODC HIV/AIDS Peer sage of Mr. Antonio Maria Costa Educators Team conducted a special devoted to World AIDS Day. With campaign for UNODC staff devoted this year’s theme “I am living my to the World AIDS Day on 1 Decem- rights”, Mr. Costa’s message under- ber 2009. More than 30 employees scored the right to health, and human took part at the event and worn red rights against stigmitization and de- ribbons to show their respect for the scrimination. day. UNAIDS representatives also Mr. Akmal Rustamov, National Pro- attended the campaign. ject Officer on HIV/AIDS made a An opening speech was made by Mr. presentation on the current HIV/ Kamran Niaz, Regional Adviser on AIDS situation in the world and Cen- Drug Dependence Treatment and tral Asia including the latest statistics on HIV cases and HIV prevalence among the most at risk populations. This session was followed by the HIV edutainment Scenes from HIV education games games which actively involved all of the par- protect oneself from HIV. Peer edu- ticipants and gave them cators provided information on HIV chance to test their prevention and made a demonstra- knowledge of HIV/AIDS, tion of condom use. The winners of the modes of HIV trans- the contests were awarded with spe- UNODC HIV Peer Educators with UNAIDS Staff mission and the ways to cial prizes and certificates.

SPORT AGAINST HIV PEER EDUCATION DRUGS In the framework of the UN Care strategy, a UN Cares – the UN system-wide series of training workshops were conducted workplace programme on HIV – The Ministries of Health and Sport/ to prepare HIV Peer Educators and establish was launched in May 2008. It is Tourism with cooperation of UNAIDS, a support network among selected staff of designed to reduce the impact of each UN agency in Uzbekistan. The key pur- HIV on the UN workplace by UNODC, UNCHR and UNICEF con- pose of the network is to ensure easily acces- providing a number of service ducted annual social event for students to raise awareness among young people sible, confidential support to UN employees including education and volun- about the destructive effect of drugs on and their family members on issues related to tary counseling and testing. UN the human body. Over 200 students HIV/AIDS prevention. Peer Educators will be Cares promotes a workplace free took part in the event which took place available to provide support and counseling from stigma and discrimination in the Ice Palace in Ashgabat no 1 De- internally for their colleagues. They will pro- based on HIV status. cember – World AIDS Day. vide accurate information on the transmis- sion and prevention of HIV/STIs and the During the event, athletes from the ice availability and quality of HIV/STI-related sport complex demonstrated their skills on the ice rink. IN addition to enter- services. On 17 December 17 2009, the staff of tainment, informational materials and UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia, red ribbons, the symbol of World AIDS Day, were distributed among the youth. Mr. Kamran Niaz, Regional Adviser on Epi- The participants also had the opportu- demiology and Drug Treatment, Mr. Akmal nity to speak with narcologists and Rustamov National HIV/AIDS Project Offi- AIDS specialists. cer and Ms. Sevara Karimova Reseach Assis- This type of event is beneficial is draw- tant were awarded certificates and officially ing attention to the problem of drug use became member of the UN Peer Educators and discouraging young people from and Support Network in Uzbekistan, which using drugs. consists of about 20 people.