UNODC, Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries 2016-2019

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Finland supports UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan & Neighbouring Countries (2016-2019). The Programme promotes cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbors namely Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and supports creating a better common response to countering the destabilizing impact of illicit drugs and crime. The Programme supports the build-up of new approaches, strengthens the existing good practices and increases capacity in the region to enable greater counter-narcotics achievements both regionally and globally. Countering cross-border narco-trafficking requires coordinated regional and international measures, as acknowledged in many UN Security Council Resolutions and international conferences. Political and practical regional cooperation and finding common solutions is a key in solving the challenges. Drug control is not a one-dimensional stand-alone issue, but it is an integral part of a wider process that delivers development, security and governance. It is important to mainstream counter-narcotics throughout wider efforts in bringing stability and economic growth to Afghanistan and the wider region. Beneficiaries are the people living in the region, law enforcement agencies as well as wider international community. The Programme takes into account vulnerable groups such as women, youth, refugees and prisoners. Current Finnish contribution is one million euros, and Finland has supported the previous Programme phase (2011-2015) with one million euros. The Regional Programme builds on the results gained in 2011-2015. Some examples of results: 1) increased cooperation between authorities on drugs in the region, 2) seizures of drugs or precursor chemicals, 3) increased information sharing on illegal cash flows, 4) training on drugs, drugs addiction and treatment for experts, authorities and schools, 5) series of systematic data collection and analysis capacity-building activities.