WCO and INCB intensify their cooperation to combat drug trafficking

27 November 2009

INCB President meets Secretary General of the WCO

25 November 2009

Report

The Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya met newly elected President of the International Narcotics Control Board, Sevil Atasoy at WCO headquarters on 25 November 2009. Ms. Atasoy was accompanied by INCB Secretary of the Board, Mr. Koli Kouame.

During the visit the President raised a number of issues with the Secretary General primarily concerning the exchange of non-nominal data on seizures that would assist the preparation of global drugs reports produced by each organization, the sharing of trends and patterns on new and emerging drugs and precursors, pre-mission coordination to address common concerns, the potential for WCO officials to participate in INCB missions, and the possible conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations.

Mr. Mikuriya welcomed the INCB’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the WCO in the fight against drug trafficking and saw the conclusion of an MOU between the two organizations as a positive signal towards closer engagement. He also invited INCB representatives to participate in WCO meetings to share their expert views addressing both the demand and supply sides of narcotics control.

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is the independent and quasi-judicial control organ monitoring the implementation of United Nations drug control conventions.

http://www.incb.org/