From 2 to 3 September 2025, the Training Centre of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan is hosting a simulation exercise on the legal regulation of issues related to illegal maritime trade. The exercise is conducted with the support of the Regional Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran, and Pakistan. This is the first international event organized at the Training Centre after it obtained regional status.

The exercise brings together representatives of Turkmenistan’s key state bodies, including the Ministry of National Security, State Border Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Customs Service, Ministry of Defense, and the General Prosecutor’s Office, as well as a delegation of specialists from the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The programme of the exercise introduces participants to the international legal frameworks for maritime law enforcement, the concept of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), radar and Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite systems, as well as methods for evidence collection and chain-of-custody procedures to support subsequent judicial proceedings.

The training demonstrates the innovative approach of the Training Centre in preparing specialists, developing professional competencies, and facilitating experience exchange. It highlights the importance of strengthening regional security and contributes to building effective cooperation between state agencies and international partners.