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Arab Forum concludes with Dubai Declaration

DUBAI — The Arab Forum for Strategic Planning and Cooperation in Combating Drugs organised by the Dubai Police and UNODC concluded here yesterday with a ‘Dubai Declaration’ calling for closer coordination among nations in the region in the fight against drug trafficking.

The forum came up with a number recommendations including formulating strategic plans, enhancing cooperation between countries, organising periodic meetings and reviewing of the progress every three years.

Under cooperation, the statement urges Arab nations to develop security procedures, appoint anti-drug communication officers in each country of the region to collect and share information and develop a database on drug use in the countries.

The countries should exchange information on the latest methods and channels of smuggling of both drugs and chemical substances and money laundering. The statement also recommends exchange of information about the arrested drug traffickers or users and organising training programmes for personnel including police and customs officials at entry points and borders.

Using the media to spread awareness about the negative effects of drugs has also been stressed.

A committee has been set up to monitor implementation of the recommendations. Officials of the anti-drugs departments of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan are the members.

The forum requested UNODC to organise training programmes and prepare a programme to enhance cooperation between Arab countries. UNODC would submit a report on the implementation of the ‘Dubai statement’ to the forum.

• UAE