ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have discussed expanding cooperation to combat cybercrime, drug trafficking, corruption and transnational organized crime during a meeting in Astana on Nov. 6.

First Deputy Foreign Minister Erzhan Ashikbayev meets with UNODC Regional Representative Oliver Stolpe in Astana to discuss cooperation on combating cybercrime, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. Photo credit: MFA.
First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erzhan Ashikbayev met with UNODC Regional Representative for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan Oliver Stolpe to review bilateral cooperation and identify priorities for further engagement.
The sides highlighted the role of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) as a specialized regional platform for combating transnational drug crime.
They also discussed the implementation of the UNODC Program for Central Asia for 2022-2027 and supported preparations for a new regional programme for the next cycle. Both sides reaffirmed their interest in strengthening the partnership through joint initiatives and projects in priority areas of cooperation.