- Events
The 麻豆APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), in partnership with the Guardia di Finanza of Italy, initiated support to the Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan to strengthen capacities at the border with Afghanistan to detect and intercept cash couriers and counterfeit currency linked to terrorism financing. From 4 to 8 May 2026, a UNOCT expert delegation conducted consultations to inform the development of a work plan for tailored capacity-building.
Implemented through the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility, together with the UNOCT Global Programme on Detecting, Preventing and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and the Global on Border Security and Management, the initiative responds to a request for support from the Government of Uzbekistan in line with technical assistance needs identified by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).
During the mission, the expert team deployed by UNOCT supported the Customs Committee in conducting a joint stocktaking exercise to review existing operational procedures, technical capacities, and institutional coordination mechanisms, and to identify operational gaps and technical assistance needs related to the detection and interception of cash couriers and counterfeit currency linked to terrorism financing.
The mission included consultations with leadership and technical personnel of the Customs Committee in Tashkent, as well as visits to the Situation Centre, the Hotline Communication Centre, and the Customs Institute. The expert team also visited the Termez–Hairatan border crossing point and the adjacent free economic zone at the Uzbek–Afghan border, where they engaged with frontline Customs and Border Troops personnel to discuss operational processes and technical needs, and observed passenger processing, inspection, profiling and screening procedures.
Subsequent capacity-building activities will include the co-design and delivery, together with the Guardia di Finanza, of a specialized training course on the detection of cash couriers and counterfeit currency to be integrated into the Customs Institute curriculum, as well as tailored mentoring and advisory support and the provision of specialized detection equipment, with human rights and gender considerations to be integrated throughout all activities.
