On April 20–21, 2026, the city of Samarkand hosted an international forum aimed at consolidating the efforts of the international community in combating illicit drug trafficking, strengthening interstate cooperation, and ensuring public health and safety.

The event was organized by the Agency for Control of Narcotics and Firearms under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The forum brought together around 500 experts and specialists from various countries, as well as representatives of major international organizations, including WHO, the World Customs Organization, OSCE, SCO, CIS, CARICC and others.

The forum was also attended by a delegation from Kazakhstan led by Kuandyk Alzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Combating Drug Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The delegation included representatives of the National Security Committee, organizations of the Ministry of Health system, as well as diplomats from the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan and the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Samarkand.

Participants discussed key issues related to combating illicit drug trafficking, suppressing transnational criminal networks, strengthening mechanisms of international cooperation, and introducing modern approaches in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.

The Kazakh delegation reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening regional and international cooperation in countering drug threats and preventing drug-related crime.

Following the forum, the Samarkand Declaration was adopted, reflecting a consolidated position of states and international organizations on countering transnational drug threats.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-samarkand/press/news/details/1207436?lang=kk