DUSHANBE December 1, 2015, Asia-Plus -- The Government of Kyrgyzstan on November 30 hosted the Conference of an official opening of the Border Management in Central Asia Programme’s ninth phase (BOMCA 9) and the Central Asia Drug Action Programme’s sixth phase (CADAP 6), funded by the European Union (EU).

The Conference reportedly aimed at presenting the next BOMCA and CADAP phases, discussing Programmes’ tasks and expected results, defining the priorities and joint actions at the regional level.  By providing opportunities for exchange of expertise and dialogue, the Conference was the next step towards strengthening regional platform on border management and drug demand reduction, promoting cooperation and interaction among agencies and partners concerned, as well as creating a coordinated strategy on results achievement.

The event gathered more than one hundred participants including representatives of the key beneficiary agencies of both programs, namely border security, customs, migration agencies, state services on drug control, ministries of health from Central Asian countries, as well as representatives from the international stakeholders, such as CA Embassies, EU MSs embassies and international organizations.

First BOMCA operations began in Central Asia in 2003, and since then, BOMCA has strengthened partnership of the Central Asia Governments in the field of border management.  The European Union allocated a sum of EUR 33.6 million to BOMCA for the period of 2003 – 2014 and almost EUR 5 million for its 9th implementation phase (2015 - 2018).

CADAP 6 with a budget of EUR 4.9 million is implemented in the framework of strategic cooperation between the EU and Central Asia, and aims at providing support to the Central Asian countries in developing and implementing policies and measures to reduce drug demand.  During the period of 2001 to 2013 the EU has allocated EUR 20.7 million for implementation of CADAP.