44th ASOD meeting: Myanmar hosts 44th ASOD and related meetings

Myanmar hosted 44th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Drug Matter and Its Related Meeting- ASOD at the Commandant office of the Myanmar Police Force’s Drug Enforcement Division on Wednesday via video conferencing.

The event was launched with ASEAN song and a video clip on activities of drug enforcement in ASEAN Countries was shown.On the occassion, Secretary of the  Central Committee on Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Chief of Myanmar Police Force Maj-Gen Zin Min Htet said drug-related issues are complexity due to the current age and technological innovations.

Drug smuggling and illegal trading are the most hazardous issues that are being faced by the world nations but also in ASEAN region. Myanmar is conducting special operations by adopting systematic plan and reviewing the status of drug trading and transporting routes.

Operation 1511/22 conducted by Laos, Myanmar and Thailand in 2022 had achievement and now Myanmar is undertaking the control of drugs and precursor chemicals special operation 39 from 1st February to 31st July 2023.

He added that it is necessary to enhance cooperation among ASEAN countries to share information in a timely manner. Next, ASOD leader from Malaysia which hosted the 43rd ASOD, handed over the chairmanship to Police Brig-Gen Win Naing, ASOD leader of Myanmar to be hosted the 44th ASOD.

Afterwards, Myanmar delegation led by the Police Bridg-Gen Win Naing, representatives led by ASOD leaders from the ASEAN countries, ASEAN Secretariat, UNODC, and Australian Federal Police discussed solving the drug problems, cooperation, progress of the implemention of the outcomes of previous meeting, preparations for the ASEAN Drug-related high level meeting,  participation in the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drug-

CND activties as a member and preparations for ASEAN declaration at the 67th CND and 45th ASOD. Representatives from ASEAN Countries and partner countries- China, India, Korea, Russia, UNODC and AFP joined the 44th ASOD on 6th and 7th July.