The Europe ROCB hosts WCO Global Shield workshop in Baku

- Article provided by the Head of the Europe ROCB -

On 11-15 June 2012 the Regional Office for Capacity Building for Europe in Baku (ROCB) hosted a regional workshop on combating the illicit movement of chemical substances which could be used for the production of explosives. The training course was organised within the scope of the long-term WCO Global Shield programme financed by the US. For the delivery of the workshop a multinational team of professional trainers-facilitators from France, UK, US and WCO arrived in Baku.

The workshop was officially opened by the Chair of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Aydin Aliyev. In his opening remarks the DG underlined the exclusive importance of the Global Shield programme and highly appreciated joint efforts undertaken by WCO, UNODC and Interpol to support law-enforcement agencies in strengthening cross-border security and fighting for non-proliferation of explosives in the region. Mr. Aliyev expressed full commitment to supporting the programme.

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During the 5-day intensive training, 19 Customs and police officers from 9 countries of the Europe and Asia-Pacific regions (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) had an opportunity to strengthen their skills and abilities in the area of detecting illicit movement of precursors.

The workshop focused on the identification, but also threats and handling of precursor chemicals. One of the most important outcomes was to continue and further strengthen the high level of cooperation amongst law enforcement organizations of the countries engaged. It also encouraged discussions amongst participants on risk indicators, fraud patterns and various legislation frameworks.

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