INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
under the framework of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)-brokered Triangular Initiative.The meeting is part of the series
of gatherings foreseen by the Triangular Initiative and aimed at discussing existing drug trafficking threats, regional counter-narcotic
strategies, and operational means to improve trilateral cooperation, according to the UNODC website.The Triangular Initiative was launched
in 2007 to strengthen cooperation in counter-narcotics law enforcement between the Islamic Republics of Iran, Afghanistan, and
Pakistan.UNODC serves as its Secretariat; it facilitates the implementation of technical assistance and mobilizes financial support.The
initiative has so far helped to forge an unprecedented level of cooperation on drug control between the three countries.Periodic meetings of
experts and policy-makers have been facilitated by UNODC since 2007, building trust amongst the three countries' anti-narcotics
authorities.At the operational level, a Joint Planning Cell has been established in Tehran for information and intelligence sharing and the
implementation of joint operations targeting drug trafficking networks operating in the region.Moreover, Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan
have identified strategic locations to place Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) at their common borders to improve information exchange and
ensure a concerted inter-agency and cross-border response against drugs and precursor trafficking.Some 1,700 regional and international drug
gangs were dismantled by Iran in the year 2022, Eskandar Momeni, the secretary general of the Iranian anti-narcotics headquarters, said in
May.Iran is located next to Afghanistan, the largest producer of opioids, the second largest producer of cannabis, and recently the producer
of glass (methamphetamine), he added.Setting up about 800 coastal checkpoints in the Persian Gulf, strengthening and developing electronic
and electro-optical equipment, and installing land-based radars and specialized cameras are among Iran's measures to deal with maritime
smuggling, Momeni explained.On the sidelines of the 66th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) that was held in
Vienna from March 13-17, Momeni signed a memorandum of understanding with UNODC director general Ghada Fathi Waly.The agreement opens a new
chapter in Iran's cooperation with the United Nations in the four areas of dealing with the supply and demand of narcotics, and offering
treatment and rehabilitation services, Momeni said, IRIB reported.Since 2017, the Islamic Republic of Iran has succeeded in discovering
Setting up healthcare, rehabilitation, and consultation centers, and empowering women and girls in cooperation with the UNODC and UNICEF
$1 billion annually to fight against narcotics.According to the reports of international institutions and organizations, about 92 percent of
drug discoveries are made by Iran, he said, adding that the country is completely alone and the cost is borne by the government and the
people.Momeni emphasized that the international community should increase support to the Islamic Republic to fight against narcotics,
blocking the borders, dealing with smuggling, identifying and monitoring the transit routes, and offering treatment and rehabilitation
