As part of the 6th plenary meeting of the Global Operational Network of Law Enforcement Authorities against Corruption (GLOBE Network), a consultative meeting of the ARIN-WCA network was held

As part of the 6th plenary meeting of the Global operational network of law enforcement authorities against corruption (GLOBE Network), held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, a consultative meeting was organized to support the activities of the Asset recovery interagency network for Western and Central Asia (ARIN-WCA).

The meeting was organized by the United Nations office on drugs and crime (UNODC), the GLOBE Network, and the Permanent secretariat of ARIN-WCA - the Law enforcement academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It brought together around 30 representatives from ARIN-WCA member countries, including Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Iran, as well as representatives from Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, UNODC, and GLOBE.

At the beginning of the event, reports were presented by the Permanent secretariat of ARIN-WCA and member countries on the work carried out within the network. In addition, the results of a survey on the effectiveness of the network’s activities among its members were discussed.

Proposals for further improvement of the network’s activities were also discussed, including expanding the geographic scope of participants, attracting new members and observers, enhancing the ARIN-WCA website, adopting a strategic plan for 2025–2027, and strengthening the knowledge and capacity of member states’ representatives on issues related to the recovery of criminal assets.

In addition, important initiatives were discussed, such as organizing trainings and workshops, improving regulatory documents, establishing expert working groups in the network’s key areas of focus, increasing the number of practical activities, and promoting more active engagement of the private sector and civil society. Particular attention was given to the development of an information exchange system and the establishment of close ties with international networks such as EGMONT, FATF, CASC, and GLOBE.

The meeting also included a proposal to consider the possibility of ARIN-WCA joining GLOBE with observer status, which would contribute to expanding the network’s cooperation with new jurisdictions.

The consultative meeting was held in an efficient, professional, and constructive atmosphere. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to continued active cooperation in the field of asset recovery and the further development of the ARIN-WCA network.