DUSHANBE, Tajikistan -

On 21-22 September, UNRCCA, together with UNODC, and in consultations with UNAMA, organized a high-level conference titled “Identifying and Tackling Geo-Strategic Challenges to Promoting Development of the Licit Economy in Afghanistan in the Transformation Decade”. This event was partly a follow up to the UNRCCA/UNODC seminar on addressing the illicit drugs problem in the region that took place in Dushanbe in April 2013.

The conference aimed at better understanding of the impact of illicit financial flows, money laundering and corruption on government revenue, and to look for possible solutions, including preventive measures, based on regional and international best practice. It was attended by the Minister for Counter Narcotics of Afghanistan and other senior officials from Afghanistan, Central Asian states, Pakistan and Iran, as well as representatives from relevant UN entities and regional organizations.

In his opening statement, Petko Draganov, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of UNRCCA, stressed that the stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan through the economic revival of the country represented a long term solution which was key for the prosperity of Afghanistan and the entire region.