UNODC supports the opening of the first Situation Center under the State Customs Committee in Uzbekistan

This initiative is a part of the implementation of the grant agreement signed between UNODC and the Government of Japan in February 2020 with an aim to counter illicit drug trafficking and transnational organized crimes through enhancing regional cross-border cooperation by strengthening the capacity of Border Liaison Offices in Central Asia within the framework of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia (2015-2021).

The Situation Center was provided with latest equipment for around  USD 500,000, including computers, multimedia and office equipment, specialized furniture, uninterruptible power supplies, air conditioners, network, data storage and access control systems among others.

The Situation Center will enhance interagency coordination in the areas of monitoring of the work of the road, railway and airport border crossing points and improve the analytical capacity of the operative units of law enforcement agencies. It will also facilitate the centralized collection, processing and analysis of intelligence; cooperation in the area of information exchange based on intergovernmental and interagency agreements in countering narcotics, transnational organized crime, smuggling and violation of customs regulations. The Center will act as an operative coordination center in conducting joint operations between different law enforcement agencies both at country, regional and international levels. Additionally, it will facilitate smooth licit movement while preventing illegal movement, contributing to socio-economic response to COVID-19 and building back better.

The inauguration ceremony was held at the premises of State Customs Committee with the participation of Mr. Murotjon Azimov, the Chairperson of the Committee, Mr. Olim Narzullaev, Director of National Information and Analytical Center on Drug Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative to Central Asia and H.E. Mr. Yoshinori Fujiyama, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia thanked the senior management of the State Customs Committee for their excellent cooperation with UNODC and highlighted , “As we adapt to COVID-19 related challenges, we are more committed than ever in our mission to assist countries in working for development, peace, health and justice for all. We urgently need to step up coordinated support to help countries in the region to protect people and recover better, stronger and more resilient from this crisis. This includes integrated action to address the many challenges posed by the world drug problem”.

Mr. Yusuf Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator and Mr. Ravshanjon Ruziev, Head of the Situation Center of the General Department on Anti-Smuggling and Customs Audit of the State Customs Committee presented the joint work accomplished as part of the initiative as well as future plans for the Situation Center.