Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — To strengthen international cooperation in the fight against the smuggling of radioactive materials, the United Nations has launched a two-year program called "CONTACT – Central Asia: Enhancing Capacity to Prevent the Illegal Trafficking of Radiological and Nuclear Materials."

As part of this program, the first regional meeting took place on 2–3 December 2024, in Turin, Italy, at the headquarters of the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute. Specialists from relevant ministries and agencies of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan participated in the event.

Active participants included specialists from the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-being, and the Committee for Industrial, Radiation, and Nuclear Safety. Representatives from the Customs Committee also took part in the meeting.

The project aims to enhance the capabilities of security agencies and law enforcement structures in conducting operations to prevent attempts to illegally trade radioactive and nuclear materials. It also seeks to establish a sustainable training system, develop the capabilities of trainers for conducting educational activities, and strengthen regional cooperation in the control of illegal trafficking of nuclear weapons and radioactive substances.

The project, set for implementation from 2024 to 2026, focuses not only on enhancing the capacity of law enforcement agencies but also on strengthening regional security.