Kazakhstan supports the new UNODC program for Central Asia

Tashkent, November 24, 2021 - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Kazakhstan Akan Rakhmetullin took part in the signing ceremony of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Program for Central Asia for 2022-2025.

Speaking at the solemn event, Mr. Rakhmetullin stressed that the previous cycle of this program has significantly strengthened the competence of law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan and their cooperation with the countries of the region. "Current joint projects have been implemented in such important areas as reforming the police service, combating drugs, border security, and countering terrorism and extremism. In this regard, Kazakhstan fully supports the priorities of the new program and is ready to work jointly with UNODC, Central Asian and international partners for stability and development of the region," the Deputy Minister said.

The event was attended by the heads of the foreign ministries of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, as well as the UN Deputy Secretary General and Executive Director of the UNODC, Ghada Waly, as part of her first official visit to the region.

The UNODC Program for Central Asia for 2022-2025 provides for the provision of technical assistance and training activities in combating organized crime, drug addiction prevention, countering drug trafficking, the spread of radical ideology, and other areas.