International co-operation to fight drug trafficking focus of OSCE experts meeting

VIENNA, 17 July 2008 - How international co-operation can make the fight against trafficking in illicit drugs and chemical precursors more effective is the focus of a two-day OSCE expert conference that began today in Vienna.

The conference, organized by the OSCE Strategic Police Matters Unit in close co-ordination with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, brings together more than 150 law enforcement and judicial experts, practitioners from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, including Afghanistan. Representatives of international and regional organizations are also taking part.

"Combating illicit drugs is a highly complex, important issue and the international nature of drug trafficking prevents any country from fighting it alone. We must enhance co-operation and intelligence-sharing in fighting drug trafficking," said Kevin Carty, the Senior Police Adviser to the OSCE Secretary General.

The conference aims to promote information exchange on the production and trafficking of illicit drugs and to co-ordinate anti-drug activities. It also aims to identify key matters related to drugs and chemical precursors. In addition, participants will discuss the implementation of relevant OSCE commitments and consider how to improve international co-operation in the fight against illicit drugs.

The conference will be divided in three sessions focusing on: countering illicit trafficking in Afghan opiates, combating trafficking of synthetic drugs and chemical precursors in the OSCE area and improving international and regional co-operation in fighting illicit drugs trafficking and supply.

"The OSCE is uniquely positioned to advance the international co-operation in combating illicit drugs," Carty said. "The Organization can assist governments in ratifying and implementing international legal instruments, and it can provide political backing to initiatives from other specialized international organizations."

The conference followed a November 2007 decision by the OSCE Permanent Council. It was financed by Belgium, Norway, the Russian Federation and Japan.

The Strategic Police Matters Unit assists the 56 OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation in their efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking. It organizes capacity-building programmes and training courses for law enforcement officers.