DUSHANBE, April 23, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- A two-day seminar formally titled “Challenges in Addressing the Illicit Drugs Problem in Central Asia in the Context of Withdrawal of International Forces from Afghanistan in 2014”, is being held in Dushanbe on April 23-24.

Organized by UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) in cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and with support of the Government of Tajikistan, the seminar aims to cover overall security related dynamics in the region, possible trends in illicit drug production and drug trafficking, increased linkages between drug trafficking and terrorism and extremism, impact of drug related organized crime on state functioning as well as bilateral and regional cooperation, and the role of international and regional organizations in addressing illicit drug problems.

It is envisaged that the analysis of the situation and activities of different actors involved in policy making related to fight against illicit drugs will be produced, and a set of recommendations, particularly the ones related to preventive measures, will be developed during the seminar.

It has reportedly gathered participants from the Institutes of Strategic Studies and other relevant state structures of the Central Asian countries, as well as representatives from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia, regional organizations and independent experts.

The event is organized within the framework of the Centre’s strategic dialogue series on important topics related to security and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, the Tajik Drug Control Agency (DCA) director Rustam Nazarov has held a number of meetings with the seminar organizers.

According to the DCA press center, Tajik drug control chief held meetings with Mr. Miroslav Jenca, SRSG and Head of UNRCCA Mr. Hakan Demitbuken, UNODC Afghan Opiate Trade Monitoring Program Coordinator and Mr. James P. Callahan, Director of Asian Affairs for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).  The current drug situation in the region, technical assistance for strengthening of border control, drug money laundering and practical assistance to Tajikistan for monitoring drug use in the country were reportedly major topics of Nazarov’s discussions with the mentioned persons.