The problem of drug addiction is becoming increasingly serious on a global scale. According to United Nations data, approximately 300 million people worldwide have tried narcotic substances at least once. More alarmingly, over 600,000 people die annually precisely because of this vice. These figures clearly demonstrate that the drug problem has long surpassed the borders of individual states and has become a major threat to global security and public health.
Against this backdrop of a concerning situation, an international forum titled "Combating Transnational Drug Threats to Ensure Public Health and Safety" has commenced in the city of Samarkand. This prestigious conference is being organized in cooperation with the Agency for Control of Narcotics and Firearms under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Representatives from around 50 countries and over 20 major international organizations, including the European Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the World Health Organization, and the World Customs Organization, are participating in the forum. The presence of approximately 500 international experts is transforming the Samarkand conference into not just a regional, but also a global dialogue platform.
The forum was opened by Saida Mirziyoyeva and UN representative Bo Matiasen. In his address to the forum participants, Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that drug trafficking has entered a new phase. According to him, criminal networks today operate not only through traditional methods but also via encrypted communication channels, crypto-assets, and offshore financial schemes.
The head of state specifically noted the necessity of eliminating the financial sources of drug trafficking as the most effective way to combat it. He stated that it is difficult to fully combat this vice without halting the flow of money.
Uzbekistan is also taking concrete and systematic measures in this direction. In particular, the detection of clandestine drug laboratories and organized criminal drug groups increased threefold in the first quarter of 2026. The activities of 35 criminal groups were terminated in a short period, with 8 leaders and 130 members apprehended. Furthermore, while 14 illegal laboratories were identified in 2025, this number reached 10 in just the first three months of 2026.
Within the framework of the forum, an international youth summit is also being organized for the first time. This is regarded as an important step aimed at involving future generations in the fight against this problem.
Additionally, an exhibition showcasing modern technologies and special equipment has been organized as part of the event. Here, innovative solutions used in combating drug trafficking are being presented to the general public.
At the conclusion of the forum, it is expected that the Samarkand Declaration on "Combating Transnational Drug Threats: Public Health and Safety" will be adopted. This document can serve to strengthen international cooperation, shape unified approaches, and elevate the fight against drug threats to a new level.
In short, this forum in Samarkand is not just a gathering, but a call for collective action against a global problem. The main question now is: what results will the adopted decisions yield in practice? Time will tell.
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