OSCE holds workshop on tackling illegal trafficking of environmentally-sensitive commodities

ASHGABAT, 7 September, 2011 – Thirteen national experts and officers from Turkmenistan’s State Customs and Border Services and from the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan are taking part in an OSCE-supported workshop on detecting and preventing illegal transboundary trafficking of waste and other environmentally-sensitive commodities that opened in Ashgabat today.

The three-day workshop was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat in co-operation with the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

Participants will discuss relevant multilateral agreements, practices for detecting smuggling and illegal trade in environmentally-sensitive commodities, and preventing loss of revenue from tax and duty evasion due to smuggling.

“Ultimately, a decrease in environmental crime, control over toxic chemicals and waste, and better species protection should contribute to a less polluted and more sustainable environment," said Ambassador Sergei Belyaev, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“The workshop will contribute to the country’s efforts to ensure compliance and enforcement of relevant international agreements.”

The Centre supports Turkmenistan in addressing environmental challenges with activities to build the capacity of relevant institutions and organizations in the country.