Central Asian Customs and UNODC-WCO Program Strengthen Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Against Counterfeits

The proliferation of intellectual property-related crime poses a significant global threat to economic development and public safety. Counterfeit goods, ranging from medicines and medical devices to cosmetics, auto parts, clothing, and toys, not only undermine legitimate markets but also endanger consumers. Some counterfeit products can cause minor harm, while others may be lethal.

In response, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP) organized a three-day regional capacity-building online training titled “Enforcement of intellectual property rights and product identification.”

Approximately 70 representatives from customs services and other relevant agencies across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan participated in both theoretical and practical sessions. The workshop equipped participants with knowledge on WCO tools to combat counterfeiting and piracy, techniques for IPR risk assessment, methods to detect fake goods, and strategies to enhance cooperation between customs authorities and the private sector.

Batyr Geldiyev, CCP Regional Programme Coordinator for Central Asia, highlighted the critical role of customs in combating counterfeiting. He stated, “The role of Customs in combatting counterfeiting is very important not only to prevent unfair competition and guarantee equal market access to its actors but also to protect society and ensure compliance with trade rules.”

Mr. Geldiyev also referenced the 2020 WCO STOP operation, which involved 99 countries targeting counterfeit medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic. This operation was the largest law enforcement effort addressing substandard and falsified medical products amid the health crisis and encouraged ongoing participation in subsequent program phases.

International expert Sandra Wens provided detailed instruction on product identification principles, clarifying distinctions between trademarks and registered marks, and explaining the importance of intellectual property rights enforcement. She also addressed the global context of counterfeiting and underscored the necessity of combating fake products, particularly counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines.

Ms. Wens emphasized the importance of real-time information exchange and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the private sector to facilitate the distribution of legitimate vaccines and prevent criminal exploitation of the pandemic. She noted that counterfeit vaccines often contain inactive chemicals, subtherapeutic dosages, or harmful binding agents such as gypsum, talc, or brick dust, which can be lethal to consumers.

The UNODC-WCO Global Container Control Programme aims to enhance national capacities in risk management, supply chain security, and trade facilitation at seaports, land borders, and airports to prevent illicit cross-border movement of goods.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia receives funding from the Government of Japan, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Programme.