Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 18 April this year, a meeting of senior officials of the anti-drug authorities of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held.

It was noted at the meeting that the SCO is implementing joint plans to coordinate the activities of the anti-drug forces of the member states of the organization, strengthening joint law enforcement activities to combat drug crime. 

Cooperation in the field of drug control in the SCO format is carried out within the framework of the Agreement between the member states of the organization on cooperation in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors (chemical substances), signed on 17 June 2004 in Tashkent.

For the practical implementation of this Agreement in 2009, a three-level mechanism for anti-drug cooperation of the SCO member states was created:

Meeting of the heads of the competent authorities of the SCO member states empowered to combat drug trafficking (SRCS);

Meeting of Senior Officials of the Anti-Drug Agencies of the SCO Member States (SOD);

Working groups of experts of the SRCS:

to improve the legal framework for cooperation;

on law enforcement and the suppression of drug-related crime;

for the control of precursors;

to reduce the demand for drugs.

Within the framework of this mechanism of anti-drug cooperation, in 2018, the Anti-Drug Strategy of the SCO Member States for 2018-2023 and the Action Program for its implementation were adopted.

At present, the competent authorities of the member countries of the organization are implementing a work plan for the implementation of this Program.

In continuation of the implementation of the work of the three-level anti-drug mechanism of the SCO, on April 20, 2022, in person, in the city of Tashkent, the next 12th Meeting of the heads of the competent authorities of the SCO member states empowered to combat drug trafficking is scheduled.

It is expected that during the Meeting the parties will assess the results of joint work cooperation after the signing of the Agreement between the SCO member states on cooperation in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors from 17 June 2004, especially since the launch in 2009 year of the three-level mechanism of anti-drug cooperation of the competent authorities of the SCO member states, Dunyo news agency reports.

In accordance with the program, it is planned that the heads of delegations will speak for further practical cooperation within the framework of the Agreement between the SCO member states on cooperation in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, the Anti-Drug Strategy of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for 2018-2023, the Action Program for its implementation, as well as strengthening the interaction of the competent authorities in combating illicit trafficking in drugs and their precursors, taking measures to prevent and treat drug addicts.

As a result of the event, the signing of the Protocol is expected.

The 13th Meeting will be held in India in 2023.