Heads and instructors of dog handling services representing border management and drug control agencies from five countries of Central Asia will share experience in dog training, discuss management planning and ways of improvement of dog handlers' trainings in searching, as well as drugs and explosive materials detection. They will alsodiscuss possible creation of a Coordination committee of dog handling services' heads from border guard, customs and drug control agencies of Central Asia.

The closing ceremony of the Regional advanced training course will be held on 30 November at the National Dog Training Centre in Tashkent. The training was arranged for 18 practicing dog handlers from border management agencies representing Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. During the training, participants got theoretical and professional skills in search for drugs and explosives. Participants were also acquainted with the best European Union practices in dog training, in particular, of the Canine School of the Austrian Police Academy.

The closing ceremony was attended by Mr. Rustam Mansurov, Deputy Chairman of Customs Committee of Uzbekistan, Mr. Dominique Wauters, Head of Operations Section, EU Delegation in Uzbekistan, Mr. Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. and other representatives of Government agencies and international organizations accredited in Uzbekistan. Trainees with their dogs demonstrated skills they learned during the 2.5 months' training.

Dog handling training sessions organised by the EU-UNDP BOMCA Programme have proved to be important elements to border security. BOMCA conducts regular three-month training courses for border guards and customs dog handlers from Central Asia at two BOMCA regional dog training hubs, Almaty and Tashkent, both accredited by the World Customs Organisation.

The National Dog Training Centre of the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan, established in 1996, is considered as the major training facility for instructors, dog handlers and specialised dogs in Uzbekistan. The Centre has specially equipped simulation classrooms, veterinary and obstetrics units, a hotel with 78 rooms and other facilities.

The overall objectives of BOMCA are to help increase security in the Central Asian region, to contribute toward the facilitation of legitimate trade and transit, and to reduce the illicit movement of goods and people.

The EU-UNDP BOMCA assistance programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDPwith ICMPD as an implementing partner.