For information only - not an official document

UNIS/NAR/1240
6 May 2015

"No country can tackle the threats of drugs and crime alone," says UNODC Chief at Central Asia meeting on illicit drugs

Ninth review meeting of the MOU on Sub-regional Drug Control Cooperation takes place in Ashgabat to promote regional cooperation in countering illicit drugs in Central Asia

ASHGABAT/VIENNA, 6 May (UN Information Service) - Cooperation and coordination are essential to counter the problem of illicit drugs in Central Asia, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, said in Ashgabat at an event hosted by the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and opened by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov.

"No country can tackle the threats of drugs and crime alone, and revitalizing this Memorandum of Understanding is an important step towards promoting integrated national, regional and inter-regional responses and strengthening drug control cooperation in Central Asia," said Mr. Fedotov.

The UNODC Chief delivered his remarks to foreign ministers, deputy ministers and heads of drug control agencies at the Ninth meeting of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sub-regional Drug Control Cooperation hosted by the Government of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat, held 4-5 May 2015.

Discussing UNODC's own contribution to these collective efforts, Mr. Fedotov said, "UNODC has been working with the countries of the region to strengthen national drug control agencies and other law enforcement bodies as part of a comprehensive, balanced approach to addressing the challenges posed by illicit drugs."

Mr. Fedotov, also stressed the need for an integrated approach to meet the challenges of illicit drugs and crime. "[UNODC's] inter-regional drug control and 'networking the networks' approaches linking country, regional and global programmes that operate along the Afghan opiate routes offer a further platform for enhancing connectivity to confront the challenges of illicit drug trafficking," he said.

The Ninth meeting adopted a Declaration that stressed the importance and continued relevance of the Memorandum of Understanding on Sub-regional Drug Control Cooperation in contributing to enhanced regional and international cooperation to better counter trafficking of drugs and related illicit financial flows, especially within the framework of shared responsibility. It also reiterated the commitment of the MoU Parties to highlight the importance of robust regional and international cooperation as a contribution to consultations taking place worldwide in the context of the preparatory process leading up to the 2016 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS).

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For further information, please contact:

Galina Fomaidi
UNODC Programme Officer
Telephone:  (+993) 616 27 412
Email: galina.fomaidi[at]unodc.org