Ashgabat, 24 December 2009 – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Turkmenistan took part in a traditional drug burning ceremony which was organized by the Government of Turkmenistan at Kasamly Julge in Akhal province to mark the success of the law enforcement agencies of Turkmenistan in combating drug trafficking.  A total of 1,279 kg of drugs seized by the national law enforcement agencies this year were torched in presence of the government officials, heads of law enforcement agencies and diplomatic corps accredited in Turkmenistan.

Opening the ceremony, the Head of the State Service of Turkmenistan for Combating Drugs, Colonel Aman Garayev emphasized that Turkmenistan’s efforts to combat drug addiction and illicit drug trafficking were carried out in close cooperation with the United Nations, OSCE, EU, as well as governments of US, UK, and other countries. He welcomed international programmes implemented in Turkmenistan under the UN auspices that aim at consolidating the efforts of the international community in combating illicit drug trafficking.

In his remarks, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. and Head of the UNODC project office in Turkmenistan Ercan Saka stressed the need for the international community ‘s close cooperation and support to the national law enforcement agencies as the drug problem in the region cannot be single-handedly combated and eradicated. He renewed the UNODC commitment to close cooperation with the Government of Turkmenistan in combating drugs, organized crime and terrorism.

The UNODC has been active in the Central Asia region since 1996. As of today, it operates with the budget of above USD 70 millions. One of the chief goals of the UNODC in the region is to promote cooperation between the neighboring countries, foster exchange of information and intelligence and provide technical and training assistance. The UNODC is currently running a total of 16 global, regional and national drug and crime oriented projects in Turkmenistan.