A high-level international conference to define geostrategic challenges for the purpose of supporting development of legal economy in Afghanistan during the Transformation Decade is being held in Dushanbe.

Organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), the conference kicked off on September 21.

The event has reportedly brought together senior representatives of relevant agencies and experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, as well as representatives of international organizations.  

The conference participants are discussing issues related to the security situation in Afghanistan and interrelation between cultivation of opium poppy and drug trafficking.

Speaking at the conference, Tajik drug control chief Sherkhon Salimzoda said, “Tajikistan hopes that alternative crops and economic growth will help eliminate opium production in Afghanistan.” 

High-level experts have reportedly proposed a number of proposals on taking practical measures to support development of legitimate economy in Afghanistan and combat transnational crime and drug trafficking.