∗ UNODC/SUBCOM/48/CRP.1

25 September 2013

Arabic, English and Russian only∗∗

Subcommission on Illicit Drug Traffic and Related Matters in the Near and Middle East Forty-eighth session* Vienna, 25-28 November 2013** Item 3 of the provisional agenda*** Current situation with respect to regional and subregional cooperation

Current situation with respect to regional and subregional cooperation

Report of the Secretariat

Contents Page

I. Introduction ...... 2

II. Regional and subregional cooperation ...... 2

III. Paris Pact Initiative ...... 4

IV. Cooperation in Afghanistan ...... 5

V. Cooperation in Pakistan ...... 5

VI. Cooperation in the Islamic Republic of Iran ...... 6

VII. Cooperation in Central Asia ...... 7

VIII. Cooperation in Turkey ...... 8

IX. Cooperation in the Arab States ...... 9

X. Conclusions and recommendations ...... 11

______* Reissued for technical reasons on 21 November 2013. ** Arabic, English and Russian are the working languages of the Subcommission. *** UNODC/SUBCOM/48/1.

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I. Introduction

1. According to the 2012 Afghan Opium Survey released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), cultivation has reached 154,000 hectares compared to 131,000 hectares of 2011. Due to low yield, the amount of opium produced has decreased from 5,800 metric tons in 2011 to 3,700 metric tons in 2012. A sharp increase in the average cross-border price of opium, from US$ 280 in 2009 to US$ 425 in 2012, has provided the push factor leading to the third consecutive year on the rise. Acetic anhydride is diverted from legal domestic markets in Europe and Asia and smuggled into Afghanistan. It is estimated that Afghanistan continues to convert most of the world’s opium into morphine and heroin. 2. Opiate consumption in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries has risen sharply in the past. Afghan heroin has also been spreading to consumer markets in East Asia traditionally supplied by Myanmar. 3. In the Near and Middle East, UNODC promotes integrated strategies to address trafficking in and consumption of illicit drugs, in particular opiates originating in Afghanistan ATS and Tramadol affecting the whole region. In addition to strengthening national capacities and promoting regional cooperation, UNODC in particular aims to link initiatives and platforms for regional and subregional cooperation, to address trafficking in Afghan heroin and precursor chemicals and impede the emerging sea-based drug-trafficking routes towards the European market. 4. The present document provides information on regional cooperation initiatives and assistance in countering drug production and trafficking provided by UNODC since the forty-sixth session of the Subcommission, held in November 2012.

II. Regional and subregional cooperation

5. The drug challenge is augmented by the unique and challenging political and security environment nearing the Transition of 2014, and increasingly the consensus is that the solution to the drug problem lies in a regional approach. This has been evidenced by the increase in bilateral, trilateral and multilateral initiatives over the last few years. These include the Quadrilateral Initiative (Sochi Process), the Heart of Asia/Istanbul Process and the Regional Narcotics Ministerial Conference of Islamabad on (November 2012). Regional cooperation is considered as one of the most viable options to provide solutions for drug control where mutual confidence building among the participating countries has a chance to succeed. 6. The focus of UNODC technical assistance in the region of the Subcommission remains directed at introducing improved control at borders, developing the professional capacity of investigation and prosecution agencies and addressing the proceeds of crime and corruption through countering money-laundering. 7. The overall strategy of UNODC includes forms of cooperation such as the Paris Pact Initiative, the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries, the Triangular Initiative between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Afghanistan , and (AKT) Initiative, the

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control of precursor chemicals and information/intelligence exchange (former TARCET) and analysis through the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC). The Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries 2011-2014, covering the eight countries of Central and West Asia affected by interconnected drug trafficking and organized crime has been strengthening border controls to prevent the trafficking of drugs and precursor chemicals used to manufacture drugs. It also advocates stronger synergy in drug control with the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), EU funded Heroin Trade II project, OSCE, WCO, and other relevant regional and international organizations. In coordination with the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy (UNRCCA), UNODC is planning a regional conference to promote cooperation among partners concerned by the opiates originating from Afghanistan — this would take place under the regional iteration of the DPA-ODC system wide task force on Transnational Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking as Threats to Security and Stability. 8. The focus of the Regional Programme during the reporting period has been focused on national capacity building of law enforcement; improvement of judicial cooperation; and facilitation of the regional dialogue and trust building exercises. In particular UNODC has worked on: (a) Linking and strengthening existing subregional cooperation mechanisms while building national capacity; laying the groundwork for new areas of regional coordination and cooperation; and providing support to bilateral and trilateral cooperation efforts; (b) Supporting progress in law enforcement in the region which led to tangible results, among these significant seizures of Acetic Anhydride. Regional Intelligence Working Groups on Precursors (successor of TARCET) were held in conjunction with operational case-based meetings; (c) Strengthening confidence-building mechanisms relating to counter- narcotics as well as contribute to the Heart of Asia Process as decided at the ministerial meeting held in Almaty (April 2013); (d) The UNODC-brokered Triangular Initiative between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran promotes information exchange and intelligence-led operations targeting the major transnational networks, while building confidence and has been gaining momentum since its launch in 2007. During 2013 the Triangular Initiative expanded with a view to support cooperation in maritime regional security (MaReS) between Iran and Pakistan; (e) Judicial cooperation: major successes include the signing of bilateral MoUs on Anti-Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism among the RP countries in 2013. UNODC has been promoting also the Criminal Assets Southern Hub (CASH) Initiative through regional AML Computer-Based Training (CBT) sessions, and Regional Workshop on Cash Smuggling and Asset Recovery meetings as well as the first meeting of General Prosecutors (Vienna, 3-4 December 2012). 9. UNODC continued to provide support to the Arab States through the Regional Programme on Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Reform in the Arab States 2011-2015. The Regional Programme supports the countries’ national and regional priorities in addressing key security challenges in countering illicit

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trafficking, organized crime and terrorism, promoting integrity and building justice, as well as drug prevention and health. UNODC is currently developing a multi-year cooperation programme for the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

III. Paris Pact Initiative

10. The Paris Pact Initiative (PPI), supported by UNODC, covers four areas for enhanced cooperation: regional initiatives; financial flows linked to illicit traffic in opiates; preventing the diversion of precursor chemicals; and reducing drug abuse and dependence. 11. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its fifty-sixth session in March 2013 adopted resolution 56/3 which calls upon Member States, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Narcotics Control Board and other competent international entities, to ensure the full implementation of the Vienna Declaration adopted by the Third Ministerial Conference of the Paris Pact Partners. 12. Paris Pact partners agreed to move forward the three-year Phase IV of the Paris Pact (2013-2016) with the continued coordination and technical assistance support of UNODC. 13. Multiple activities to bolster international and regional cooperation have taken place within the three components of the Paris Pact project: (a) the Consultative Mechanism, (b) the Automated Donor Assistance Mechanism (ADAM), and (c) a team of Research and Liaison Officers. (a) Several Expert Working Groups were organized within the Paris Pact framework: The Expert Working Group on Afghan Opiate Abuse Prevention, (Vienna, 4-5 October 2012), focused on drug abuse prevention and reduction interventions and policies; three Law Enforcement-themed Expert Working Groups (The Hague, 11-13 February 2013): on Precursors; on Cross-Border Cooperation and Legal Frameworks; on Illicit Financial Flows. At the 10th Policy Consultative Group Meeting held on 6-7 March 2013 in Vienna, the recommendations and conclusions of all four expert meetings were reviewed and subsequently adopted by all partners; (b) The Automated Donor Assistance Mechanism (ADAM) evolved into a centralized location for relevant information from partners and on existing international cooperation initiatives; (c) The Research and Liaison Officers (RLOs) are located in the Islamic Republics of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, the Central Asian Republics of Kyrgyzstan, and , as well as the Russian Federation, Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The RLO component has seen an improvement in networking capabilities and a significant increase in the evidence- base required for strategic planning, policies and the coordination of action. The data collected by the RLOs contribute to global data collection activities. The Paris Pact in cooperation with the Afghan Opiate Trade Project, piloted the online Drugs Monitoring Platform.

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IV. Cooperation in Afghanistan

14. UNODC has emphasized the need to mainstream counter-narcotics into the national priority programmes of the Government of Afghanistan and international community’s priority plans for the Transformation period (2015-2025). 15. Through it technical cooperation, UNODC’s Country Programme for Afghanistan (2012-2014) enhances its assistance at the provincial level; the creation of sustainable alternative livelihoods for opium poppy farmers; expanded health care, drug demand reduction and HIV prevention; and the enhancement of the capacity of the Ministry of Counter-Narcotics to conduct research, surveys and analysis. Given the military draw out of the international community (ISAF/NATO), the resources available for Afghanistan will be increasingly managed by United Nations in the form of multi-donors trust funds. Other components of the Country Programme include support for law enforcement and criminal justice to address drug trafficking and the drug economy and the challenges they pose to the rule of law. With an estimated budget of US$ 117 million, the Country Programme is the largest donor funded programme within UNODC. UNODC has been supporting the Ministry of Counter Narcotics of Afghanistan (MCN) in its policy, analysis and coordination capacity. The first Afghanistan Drug Report is expected to be launched during the third quarter of 2013.

V. Cooperation in Pakistan

16. Pakistan continues to be geographically vulnerable to drug trafficking. According to UNODC’s estimates, around 40 to 50 per cent of Afghan opiates (including heroin) are trafficked through Pakistan. This represents approximately one-third of global supply. 17. Pakistan has witnessed a rise in drug consumption, drug dependence and associate risk factors over the past two decades. UNODC has recently conducted the first-ever household drug use survey in Pakistan, which reveals a steadily increasing number of drug users. A particular point of concern is the high rate of HIV prevalence among injecting drug users at 37.8 per cent. 18. Drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime undermine security and rule of law, promote corruption, undermine functioning of public institutions, and present significant challenges for public health and well-being. Linkages between drug production and trafficking, and violence by non-state actors have been noted. 19. UNODC’s approach in Pakistan has relied on the Country Programme (2010-15). Assistance is focused on the provinces of Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where challenges related to law enforcement, security and illicit trafficking and drug consumption are particularly pronounced. 20. Focus areas of the Programme is on assisting law enforcement agencies, criminal justice authorities and organizations with a mandate in providing health care to drug users. In the area of law enforcement, UNODC is assisting relevant agencies in development and integration of international-standard curricula. Specifically with regard to addressing the trafficking of drugs and precursor

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chemicals, UNODC provides operational support to law enforcement agencies, capacity building and technical assistance. Providing standardized medical responses to drug dependence through development of Drug Treatment Protocols is also part of UNODC’s activity portfolio.

VI. Cooperation in the Islamic Republic of Iran

21. Iran is one of the main transit routes of opium and heroin from Afghanistan, and constitutes a key partner in fighting illicit drug trafficking destined to European and US markets. Since 1979, 3,700 Iranian law enforcement and police personnel have been killed in action against drug traffickers and more than 15,000 disabled. 22. The Iranian anti-narcotics police force continue to have impressive drug interdiction results; for instance, in 2010 Iran carried out the world’s highest seizures of opium (81 per cent) and heroin (34 per cent). 23. A 4-year UNODC Country Programme of Technical Cooperation on Drugs and Crime was launched in 2011. This programme aims to support specific national priorities and plans on drugs, crime, justice and corruption by: (i) facilitating bilateral, regional and international cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran; (ii) promoting UN and international conventions, standards, norms and best practices. In addition, the Country Programme is strengthening its ties with the UNODC Regional Programme (RP) for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries. 24. Iran’s drug control efforts and good practices especially on drug demand reduction and HIV/AIDS control deserve the recognition and support of the international community.

VII. Cooperation in Central Asia

25. The UNODC-supported Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) aims to build further cooperation in counter-narcotics between national and regional law enforcement agencies, and complements other groupings such as the Triangular Initiative between the Islamic Republics of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. 26. On 27-28 June 2013, a regional meeting of heads of analytical units from the Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, , Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, as well as representatives from China, France, Germany, Turkey, UK, USA, and regional and international organizations (EU/UNDP BOMCA, CSTO, OSCE, RATS of SCO) reviewed and discussed trends in illegal trafficking of afghan opiates. Particular focus was given to the current drug situation in the countries located along the Northern Route, the Afghanistan post-2014 scenarios and issues of regional cooperation. 27. On 11-12 June 2013 a regional meeting entitled “Ice Trail” and attended by law-enforcement officers from operational divisions of CARICC member states as well as representatives from Australia, Belarus, Indonesia, Iran, and Thailand was organized by UNODC in cooperation with and CARICC in Almaty. Coordination of efforts of the law-enforcement agencies of Central and South-East

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Asia in interception of synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine, trafficked from Iran was discussed. 28. The NATO-Russian Federation Council implements since 2006 a project on Counter-Narcotics Training of Central Asian, Afghan and Pakistani Law Enforcement Personnel. The project supported Central Asian countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan by improving their counter-narcotics capacity in a wide range of topics including drug classifications and drug abuse, terrorism and extremism, intelligence, electronic surveillance and undercover operations. It also enhanced law enforcement agencies’ capacities, mobility and expertise to strengthen measures against drug trafficking from Afghanistan. The strengthening of inter-agency cooperation through combined training courses significantly improved cooperation between law enforcement agencies of the region. 29. Since 2000, UNODC has been working with Tajikistan to support the country’s Drug Control Agency (DCA) and to strengthen controls along the Tajik/Afghan border through the provision of expertise, resources, equipment and training. The DCA has been instrumental in stemming the flow of opiates from Afghanistan via Central Asia and the Russian Federation to Europe. Since it was formed, more than 14,773 tons of drugs have been confiscated and destroyed in Tajikistan. 30. Since 2010, UNODC continuously supported capacity-building of the State Service on Drug Control (SSDC) in the Kyrgyz Republic. UNODC’s assistance aimed at strengthening the drug control system by improving the drug control legislation, enhancing the technical capacity of state drug control offices and developing the State Service on Drug Control. 31. HIV-related services for drug users and inmates were developed with UNODC’s assistance. UNODC has been promoting evidence-based and ethical drug dependence treatment policies, strategies and interventions to reduce the health and social burden caused by drug use and dependence. More than 18,000 drug users benefited from services introduced. 32. UNODC supported the establishment of a Container Control Unit in the Georgian port of Poti at the Black Sea as well as sea ports in Azerbaijan and . 33. To enhance the analytical capacity of law enforcement officers, UNODC trained analysts as well as trainers from law enforcement training academies and centres of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in ArcGIS 10.0 (Basics and Advance Working with Geoinformation Systems).

VIII. Cooperation in Turkey

34. Turkey is strategically placed amidst various UNODC programmes, has been a strong partner for many years, and holds a unique position. The trafficking of opiates sourced in Afghanistan remains a significant threat to Turkey. Heroin is predominantly smuggled into Turkey from Iran. Seizures of heroin in Turkey were the highest globally in 2012 (13 tons) and large seizures continued to be made in 2013 with much of the heroin transiting Turkey to the Balkan peninsula and Western European markets by land. An increasing trend has been the usage of container shipping as modus operandi at ports such as Mersin on the Mediterranean Sea.

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35. While both Turkey and Iran have reaped the benefits of increasing deterrence along their mutual borders, traffickers may be responding by crossing the relatively more porous borders of Syria and Iraq. Turkish police seized 550 kg of heroin in three operations in 2012 which had transited Iraq. 36. Seizures of heroin precursor Acetic Anhydride (AA) continued to decline in 2013. Several factors, including the arrest and conviction of a preeminent AA trafficking group in 2010 combined with a shift of AA trafficking from China, have impacted this route. 37. Cannabis resin continues to be cultivated within Turkey and imported from Iran and Afghanistan to meet the growing demands of the local market. In 2012 seizures of cannabis resin reached 27 tons with much of it being produced locally. 38. The current crisis in Syria has been providing both the production and distribution of the amphetamine captagon. Trafficking of this drug from Syria into Turkey may be increasing as indicated by a seizure of 4.2 million captagon tablets in April 2013. 39. Turkey is an active member of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC), the objective of which is to enhance coordination in preventing and combating serious and organized crime. SELEC is an important hub for intelligence sharing between Turkey and the countries of South Eastern Europe. 40. Turkey hosts the Turkish International Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC). In 2013, UNODC and TADOC have reached an agreement whereby trainings for South Eastern European officers working in the area of countering drug trafficking and related fields would take place at TADOC with support of UNODC.

IX. Cooperation in the Arab States

41. On 28-29 May 2013, the second meeting of the Regional Programme Steering and Follow up Committee was held with representatives from the Member States as well as the League of Arab States and the League’s Councils of Ministers of Interior and Justice. The purpose of the meeting was to jointly reflect on achievements and challenges faced in the implementation of the Regional Programme, to identify and reconsider priorities, taking into account political and socio-economic developments in the region, and to facilitate effective cooperation between UNODC, the League of Arab States and the Member States concerned. The participants agreed on a set of recommendations under the three sub-programmes of the Programme including to strengthen border control to counter illicit trafficking, and to support Member States to implement international standards on drug use prevention and efforts against drug-related health issues. Member States called on UNODC and the League of Arab States to start the development of the second phase of the Regional Programme. 42. UNODC is developing a multi-year cooperation programme for the States members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, to tailor UNODC assistance to the needs of the Governments in the Gulf region. It will support a comprehensive, integrated and nationally owned approach to the key needs and priorities of the Gulf States pertaining drug and crime control issues. The programme will prioritize national

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capacity development as well as cross-border cooperation in order to support the responses to the evolving and emerging threats related to drugs and crime, and will capitalize on existing initiatives supported by UNODC, developed and implemented at the sub-regional level in close cooperation with the GCC. Furthermore, UNODC envisions linking the programme with other relevant efforts in the broader Arab region and adjacent countries to address trafficking in Afghan heroin and precursor chemicals and impede the emerging sea-based drug-trafficking routes towards the European market. 43. UNODC has been contributing to the efforts of the Gulf countries in the fields of drug control, crime prevention and combating transnational organized crime, with a focus on cross-border cooperation for the conduct of counter-narcotics operations. The location of the States in the Gulf region, close to the heroin production zone, and the existence of free trade zones, ports and airports that serve as international transit hubs, make the region vulnerable to illicit trafficking and associated criminal activities. The lower Gulf region is becoming a hot spot for transit as well as a distribution market for drugs. A specific threat facing the subregion is the smuggling of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), including Captagon, from South-East Asian and European countries. Illicit methamphetamine manufacturing has also emerged in the subregion. Increased use of synthetic drugs has been reported in a number of countries, including Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Operations conducted by States of the subregion regularly result in large seizures of ATS. The trafficking of Tramadol, a synthetic opioid, for non-medical use and abuse to and through the region is an additional emerging challenge. 44. In view of the increasing trafficking of drugs through containers, UNODC has initiated a consultative process with several countries in the Middle East and North Africa to explore the possibilities of expanding the UNODC-World Customs Organization Container Control Programme to the region. The programme will support the countries in creating sustainable law enforcement structures in seaports to minimize the exploitation of maritime containers for illicit drug trafficking and other transnational organized criminal activities. 45. Following the establishment of the GCC Criminal Information Centre to Combat Drugs (GCC-CICCD) in Doha, Qatar, in June 2010, UNODC has been supporting the centre through the delivery of an integrated package aimed at building its institutional and human resources capacity. The GCC-CICCD will serve as a hub for law enforcement agencies of the GCC countries to facilitate and coordinate the exchange of operational information on cross-border criminal activities, in particular drug trafficking, in the subregion. GCC-CICCD is also well placed to further promote interregional cooperation through linkages with similar platforms such as CARICC, the JPC of the Triangular Initiative, the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC), INTERPOL, and the World Customs Organization (WCO). 46. On 29-30 May 2012 the GCC-CICCD convened a regional workshop on “Controlling Acetic Anhydride in the West Asian region” which UNODC contributed to. The participants adopted a set of recommendations looking at improving the availability of data, exchange of information, legal and institutional frameworks for precursor control, and developing training programmes.

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47. UNODC contributed to the Smart Border Technology Forum on trafficking operations and cross border crime held on 24 September 2012 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where officials from border control departments within the Ministries of Interior of the Gulf region were provided with best practices and information on new technologies to effectively protect and manage land, air and sea borders, amongst others. 48. Furthering regional cooperation and information exchange on special topics on drug control in the Middle East, UNODC continued to co-organize and contribute to the scientific programme design and delivery of the Hemaya International Forum on Drug Issues, held on 26-27 June 2013 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, under the slogan of “Drug Trafficking and Monitoring Mechanisms”. 49. In the framework of the UNODC-WHO Global Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care, a regional capacity building workshop was delivered February 24-28th in Amman, Jordan, on drug dependence treatment and care to over 30 drug treatment providers from different disciplines and background from UAE, Libya, Yemen, Jordan and Palestine. 50. On 24-26 June 2013, UNODC and the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates organized a sub-regional meeting on “International Legal Cooperation in the Gulf to Combat Transnational Organized Crime”. The GCC countries adopted recommendations for UNODC to further develop the creation of a judicial cooperation network in close cooperation with the GCC Secretariat and provide further technical assistance to the participating countries to support their capacity and legal framework in connection to international legal cooperation in criminal matters. 51. At the national level, UNODC has supported the Bahraini Anti-Drug Committee in the development of a national Anti-Drug Strategy, which emphasizes the need for reorganizing the drug control structure and to strengthen the human resource capacity of the drug law enforcement as well as the health care and drug prevention specialists. UNODC is currently working with the Bahraini authorities and UNDP in the development of an action plan focusing on both drug supply and demand reduction. 52. In the United Arab Emirates, UNODC is supporting the federal Anti-Narcotics Department in the field of drug information management. Moreover, UNODC is supporting national prevention efforts, including plans for a technical assistance programme to reinforce capacities in the implementation of prevention strategies. 53. UNODC is also collaborating with the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) in Abu Dhabi to strengthen its institutional and human resource capacity and supply it with all necessary technical assistance, affiliations and partnerships to provide a comprehensive package of demand reduction activities and become a regional training centre on good practices. 54. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNODC has agreed to intensify its cooperation with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control on drug control- related matters, including support to law enforcement efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking, the establishment and coordination of a national prevention system, and support to enhanced drug treatment and aftercare. UNODC co-organized the

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2nd Regional Symposium on Drug Control and Information Exchange which took place in Riyadh on 30 April-2 May 2013. 55. UNODC participated in the Technical Meeting on the Arab AIDS Strategy held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period 25-27 November 2012 to develop and implement an Arab AIDS Strategy under the umbrella of the Arab League. UNODC has been actively involved in the development of the Arab AIDS Strategy by providing policy advice on HIV prevention and care among people who inject drugs and in prison settings. 56. UNODC has been assisting the authorities of the Sultanate of Oman by providing inputs to the national drug control strategy. Both parties are exploring the feasibility of a technical assistance project to support the upcoming national strategy. UNODC facilitated a national workshop on Drug Dependence and After Care Services, which resulted in key recommendations for strengthening the comprehensive system of drug dependence treatment and aftercare services. 57. In Qatar, UNODC has conducted a needs assessment towards technical cooperation in the field of drug dependence treatment, prevention and social rehabilitation and reintegration. 58. In Palestine, UNODC supported community outreach services for people who inject drugs in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This includes supporting the functions of a drop in centre established with the support of UNODC as well as supporting community outreach services for condom and needle distribution programmes. UNODC provided policy advice and technical assistance for the introduction of opioid substitution treatment (OST) in Palestine. A feasibility study was developed to assess the relevant government regulations related to controlled substances. The Ministry of Health has identified the lack of technical and human resource capacities on evidence-based assessment, diagnosis and treatment of drug dependence as a major weakness in its health system and has officially requested technical support from UNODC to build these capacities. 59. In Lebanon, UNODC continued providing technical assistance to support and expand its opioid substitution treatment programme. As of June 2013, 750 clients were enlisted on the programme. UNODC has actively supported the Lebanese Ministry of Public Security through the development of National Guidelines for Opioid Agonist Therapy as well as the development of a TreatNet training cascade. In 2013, UNODC continued supporting the management of the database software and in the first year evaluation of the OST intervention.

X. Conclusions and recommendations

60. Areas for enhanced regional cooperation could include: regional initiatives; directing law enforcement efforts against the traffickers; tackling financial flows linked to drug trafficking; preventing the diversion of precursor chemicals which are used to manufacture drugs; and reducing drug demand, abuse and dependence; information-sharing with countries affected by the drug trade; widening the spectrum of drug control to be comprehensive of both drug supply and drug demand reduction by incorporating the appropriate role of law enforcement in drug demand reduction strategies; enhancing regional capacity and knowledge of science-based

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drug dependence treatment and care as well as evidence-based prevention practices to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of coordinated regional and national prevention efforts, and promote treatment services to be in line with human rights practices and principles. 61. UNODC can provide assistance in countering drug trafficking and organized crime at three levels: at national level, by providing assistance in capacity- and institution-building; at regional level, through the promotion of cross-border cooperation, intelligence sharing and joint and coordinated law enforcement operations and the establishment of platforms of regional cooperation (e.g. Triangular Initiative, CARICC, JPC, GCC-CICCD); and by promoting the inter-regional programming approach which aims at connecting UNODC programmes and initiatives to stem drug trafficking originating from Afghanistan. 62. The setting-up of a pilot platform of drug control cooperation within UNODC ongoing programmes while targeting a specific critical geographical area has proven to favour stronger visibility of, and attention to, drug and crime control issues in that region. Within the reporting period it contributed to increased cooperation, ownership and participation as witnessed by the Maritime Crime Programme, the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries, the Global Programme Against Money-Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Financing of Terrorism, and within the initiatives of the GCC-CICCD and the MaReS initiative. It supported the move from a strong drug control focus to more balanced UNODC response for that region that integrate drug control into the area of criminal justice and crime control. It has also proven to become a potential mechanism for fund raising purposes to UNODC programmes of the region. 63. Due to its geographical location along the Balkan route, Turkey remains a crucial partner in the interdiction of narcotics on both a regional and international level. Its current cooperation efforts have been developed over several decades. Further development of such cooperation, in particular with countries of the Arabian Peninsula to stem the tide of amphetamine trafficking, is essential. Changes in trafficking patterns, particularly along the borders of Iraq and Syria, and to a lesser extent with Greece, are areas for increasing concern and monitoring. TADOC as both an educational institution and facilitator could act as a catalyst to build both formal and informal networks amongst national law enforcement agencies. As trafficking of heroin by container ships from ports may be on the rise, participation in UNODC Container Control Programme and increased cooperation maritime law enforcement could be beneficial to both Turkey and its neighbours. 64. Pursuant to Resolution 56/14 adopted by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its 56th session, Member States are called upon to adopt appropriate comprehensive measures aimed at preventing and reducing the non-medical use and abuse and illicit supply of Tramadol, in accordance with their national legislation, and to strengthen international cooperation in law enforcement activities to combat the illicit manufacture and domestic and international distribution of Tramadol.

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