The international project on strengthening capacity and assistance in combating wildlife crime in Central Asia brings together Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan in the common task of developing and implementing effective measures to combat illegal wildlife trade in Central Asia.

An event dedicated to this project was held in Tashkent.

Head of the Biodiversity Policy Department of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Abdurashid Sodiqov noted the relevance of the meeting agenda.

“Illegal wildlife trade is in fourth place among the most profitable types of international criminal activity”, says Mr. Sodiqov. “This means we need to take more measures to combat it. We have established consistent cooperation with local and international organizations. Our goal is to prevent the illegal import or export of animals by air, rail, and other modes of transport”.

Cross-border regional cooperation between Central Asian countries is developing, functions to identify, suppress, investigate, and enforce violators are being expanded, and prosecutorial and judicial capacity is being strengthened.

Mukhayyo Toshqorayeva, UzA