MOSCOW, Russia

On 22-24 April 2024, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of UNRCCA, Kaha Imnadze, paid a working visit to Moscow and had meetings with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Vershinin, Director of the Department for International Organizations, Petr Ilychev, Director of the Third Department of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Aleksandr Sternik. He also met with Deputy Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Samat Ordabaev and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Sergey Lebedev. In addition, SRSG Imnadze had an opportunity to meet with Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev.

During the meetings the sides exchanged views on the overall situation in Central Asia and latest developments. SRSG Imnadze also briefed counterparts on the ongoing and planned activities of the Centre, such as combatting terrorism and extremism, drug-trafficking and transnational crime, transboundary water management and implications of the climate change for the region, advancing cooperation on youth in Central Asia, activities within the framework of the CA Women Leaders Caucus. The sides also touched upon the situation in Afghanistan in terms of security and stability for the region of Central Asia. An important role of the Regional Centre in supporting multilateral cooperation among the states of the region and trust-building was emphasized by the Russian side.

The parties underscored the importance of regular exchanges on topics related to ensuring peace and security in Central Asia, and in a wider region.