KABUL, Afghanistan -

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), Miroslav Jenča, visited Kabul and delivered a keynote presentation in the international seminar “Afghanistan –Central Asia Dialogue II” organized by the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies. The event brought together officials, independent experts, academics and representatives of regional organizations to discuss challenges in the region as well as cooperation and connectivity between Afghanistan and Central Asia.

In his presentation, the SRSG focused on threats of extremism and terrorism, drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime faced by the region. He called for stronger interaction between Central Asia and Afghanistan in addressing jointly these challenges. On the other hand the SRSG underlined deeply underused potential of regional cooperation notably in building transit corridors, new regional infrastructure and enhancing mutual cross border trade that can contribute to peace and improving life of people.

On the sidelines of the seminar, the SRSG met with senior Afghan representatives, well-known regional experts, Central Asian and other Ambassadors and held regular consultations with UNAMA. The sides exchanged views on current developments in Central Asia and Afghanistan and their implications for the stability of the region. The SRSG informed about planned activities of the UNRCCA.