The 39th Arab Conference of Heads of Drug Control Agencies convened in Tunisia on Wednesday, bringing together senior security officials and international organizations to strengthen regional cooperation in combating narcotics.
The conference is chaired by Brigadier General Mohammed Qabazard, Director General of the General Department of Drug Control at Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior.
In his opening address, Mohammed Koman, Secretary-General of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, underscored the urgent need for concerted Arab efforts and continuous vigilance to confront the escalating dangers of drugs across the region.
Koman warned that the growing spread of narcotics and psychotropic substances poses major challenges to Arab societies. He called for enhanced collaboration to confront the evolving tactics of drug trafficking networks, which are constantly developing new smuggling and concealment methods — placing mounting pressure on regional law enforcement agencies, reports Al-Qabas daily.
Emphasizing the importance of joint Arab security coordination, Koman highlighted the role of the Working Group on Immediate Information Exchange, which enables member states to share real-time intelligence on drug shipments, new substances, and concealment techniques.
He also proposed the establishment of an Arab Drug Observatory and the reformulation of the Arab Strategy to Combat Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, as well as the launch of an annual Arab Week for Drug Prevention and Control.
The initiative aims to raise awareness of drug dangers and protect youth from addiction, following the success of other regional awareness campaigns such as Arab Traffic Week and Arab Week for Combating Extremism and Terrorism.
The conference’s agenda includes discussions on global trends in drug production, trafficking, and consumption, as well as the latest smuggling patterns and law enforcement strategies. Delegates will also review the outcomes of recent Arab and international drug control meetings held between 2024 and 2025.
Attending the event are heads of Arab anti-drug agencies, along with representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council Criminal Information Center for Drug Control, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Union Project against Organized Crime and Terrorism, the EU Agency for Drugs and Crime, and the International Protection Center.
Representing Kuwait alongside Brigadier General Qabazard are Colonel Abdullah Al-Rabiah, Director of the International Anti-Narcotics Department, and First Lieutenant Abdul Hadi Al-Attar of the General Department for Combating Narcotics.
The conference was preceded by a preparatory session of the Working Group on the Immediate Exchange of Information, which serves as an early warning system for Arab states, facilitating swift data sharing on drug trends and trafficking operations.
