I. The EU-UNDP BOMCA Assistance

Programme in Kazakhstan: Introduction

Kazakhstan is a member of several international organisations that deal with issues related to border management. In this respect, Kazakhstan participates in regular meetings with the Council of Heads of Border Guards of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC).

There is an Inter-ministerial Commission for the "Elaboration of Recommendations" regarding the construction and development of single border crossing points, the so-called "Single Window concept" also referred to as a United Border Crossing Point (UBCP), in which all five involved agencies (Border Guards Service of the National Security Committee, Customs Control Committee under the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transport and Communication, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture) closely interact and work cooperatively. Eighteen UBCPs have already been established on the Kazakh-Russian border. Kazakhstan is negotiating similar border management arrangements with China. As for southern borders of Kazakhstan at present time Border Guard Service is dealing with strengthening of the borders due to introduction of the Customs Union between Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

II. BOMCA's current phase in Kazakhstan

The programme's major beneficiaries in Kazakhstan are: the Border Guards Service, Customs Control Committee and Military Institute of the National Security Committee.

Project 1: Institutional development

At the present time, the Border Guards Service of Kazakhstan is actively developing the future concept for Border Management. This concept will be further developed into a long-term strategy to 2030. The strategy will address, amongst other things, the issue of converting the Border Guards Service from the "Conscript Model" to a fully professional service. This has already happened on border crossing points with Russia where there exists "joint control" functionality; operationally not too dissimilar to that in Europe. This is an excellent example of cooperation amongst the border agencies from both countries and demonstrates that efforts are being made to share responsibility for securing the border.

Kazakhstan is interested to learn more about European methods for Integrated Border Management (IBM) and best practice. IBM is based on the following three principles:

• Improved intra-service cooperation;
• Improved inter-agency cooperation;
• Improved cross-border and international cooperation.

Inter-agency cooperation is one of the main focuses of BOMCA IBM training activities in Kazakhstan. BOMCA has developed an IBM handbook, as a key tool to underpin these training sessions.

Cross-border cooperation has been, and will continue to remain, a key element of BOMCA activities; a number of cross-border workshops have been conducted with Kyrgyzstan. Cross-border cooperation is encouraged for regional peace and security, regional trade facilitation, regional economic development, and regional drug control. A major achievement of BOMCA in this respect is the Government of Kazakhstan's agreement to double the number of Kyrgyz border guards receiving training at the Kazakh National Training Institute. Tajik border guards also receive training in Kazakhstan.

Project 2: Strengthening training capacities

As part of previous BOMCA phases, training centres of border agencies have been refurbished or constructed. The current phase is dedicated to enhancing directors' capacity to train staff. Regional and national "Training-of-Trainers" courses are being conducted in Almaty and other countries in the region, along with skills training courses for new trainers, who also participate in the national training seminars.

In particular, regional "Training-of-Trainers" course was organised by BOMCA Kazakhstan Country office and conducted in February 2010 in Almaty 2010 in assistance with ICMPD (International Centre for Migration Policy Development). In total 30 participants took part in the training event (6 representatives from the border agencies of each Central Asian country. The programme included a series of presentations on the IBM concept and the most practicable training methods.

The skills training in Border Crossing Point "Merke" (on Kazakh-Kyrgyz border) was successfully organised and conducted in April 2010 in partnership with ICMPD, and a number of International Organizations such as OSCE Center in Astana and Bishkek, IOM in Astana. In total 36 participants took part in the training event. The programme included a series of presentations on Integrated Border Management and Modern Border Procedures.

The Military Institute in Almaty is the main institution in Kazakhstan involved in developing the curriculum and providing the education of future border officers. Support to reform, which will enhance the curriculum and improve the standards of education, is greatly appreciated. Kazakhstan is seeking cooperation with neighbouring countries as well as with European training academies, especially in the organisation of study tours, as these provide border guards with close cooperation, exchange of information and experience.

Three centres for dog handlers are currently being supported in Kazakhstan: the Central Dog Kennel of the Border Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan (located at Karaoy), the Customs Dog Training Centre and the Dog Training Centre in the Military Institute (both located in Almaty).

Project 3: Strengthening Infrastructure Capacities Along Trade and Transit Corridors in Central Asia

Reconstruction work has been completed at the Merke railroad border crossing point (BCP), and drug detection equipment has been procured and delivered to the Kordai BCP (on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border). Four BCPs on the Kazakh-Uzbek border received extended power supplies to set up the Berkut information system. Some of the renovated facilities are being used to deliver training under the BOMCA assistance programme.

In 2010-2011 it is envisaged to undertake a survey of the trade and transit situation according to UN ESCAP methodologies to establish baseline indicators for future activities.

Project 4: Strengthening counter-drug capacities at borders

Drug Profiling Units (DPUs) have been established in all the countries in the Central Asian region. The DPUs' work is focussed on detecting drugs and explosives, apprehending suspected drug traffickers as well as collating and analysing information on illegal drug trafficking.

In Spring 2010 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UNDP (BOMCA) and Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) located in Almaty. The Parties share a common mission and intend to cooperate in fields of mutual interest, in order to improve the effectiveness of efforts to combat illicit trafficking of drugs and precursors in Central Asia, as well as protection of the population of the Central Asian region from the harmful effects of illicit drug trafficking and abuse. BOMCA and CARICC have agreed to conduct joint seminars and conferences with participation of EU and CARICC experts involved in combating drug trafficking in Central Asia and exchange expertise.

III. Coordination

Technical Level Donor Coordination Meetings are organised on a bi-annual basis in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States. The principal goal of the donor coordination meetings is to provide an opportunity for coordination and discussion on common aims to promote parallel funding from donor organizations and in-kind contributions to EU projects.

Regular meetings with the beneficiaries: Bi-annual Steering Committee Meetings on national and regional levels are a useful vehicle for Kazakhstan to indicate and outline its priorities. Programme implementation is planned according to the decisions made by these committees.

The Central Asia Border Security Initiative (CABSI) conference is a coordination platform for all stakeholders in the areas of border management and drug control in Central Asia, while its objectives have been developed further to promote a comprehensive and sustainable integrated border management approach in the region. CABSI meetings take place once a year in Central Asia to discuss current border management and security activities and possible future cooperation.

IV. Major BOMCA activities in Kazakhstan during 2010

• 1 regional "Training-of-Trainers" course and 1 national skills and cross-border training course at the Kazakh- Kyrgyz border, jointly organised with IOM / OSCE / UNHCR attended by 30 and 36 trainees accordingly from different border agencies from Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries;
• 1 regional two-month dog handlers training session attended by 4 Kazakh participants;
• Training for DPUs staff on profiling methodology and search techniques;
• 7 study tours arranged to the EU countries for senior border managers to learn the European best-practices in border management. Two recent study tours were arranged to the EU training institution in Luebeck, Germany, in April 2010; and to the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the EU External Borders (FRONTEX) to Warsaw, Poland, in May 2010.

Training, equipment and infrastructure investments under BOMCA Programme in Kazakhstan for 2004-2010