BUKHARA, Uzbekistan
On 13–14 May, Kaha Imnadze, SRSG for Central Asia and Head of UNRCCA, visited Bukhara, Uzbekistan, to participate in the meeting of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus and the Second Asian Women’s Forum.
On 13 May, the SRSG addressed the meeting of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus chaired by H.E. Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Focused on “Women’s Leadership in Science: Modern Challenges, Innovative Solutions and Scientific Cooperation,” the meeting brought together members of the Caucus from across Central Asia, representatives of Azerbaijan, as well as participants from the scientific community, civil society and international organizations.
In his remarks, Mr. Imnadze congratulated Uzbekistan on assuming the presidency of the Caucus and noted that the Bukhara meeting opened a new cycle in its work, following the completion of the first round of chairpersonships by all five Central Asian states. He underlined that, over the past five years, the Caucus had developed into a distinctive regional platform connecting women leaders across Central Asia around issues of peace, cooperation and development.
Referring to the theme of the Conference the SRSG emphasized that women’s leadership in science, innovation and technology is increasingly relevant to regional cooperation, institutional resilience and the capacity of societies to respond to emerging challenges. In this context, he encouraged the Caucus to continue strengthening its contribution to the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Central Asia.
On 14 May, Mr. Imnadze addressed the opening of the Second Asian Women’s Forum held under the title: :Investment in Women -Foundation of Sustainable Growth: Expanding Political, Economic, Social and Environmental Opportunities for Women. In his statement, he welcomed the Forum as an opportunity to place women’s leadership in the context of wider political, economic and technological changes affecting societies across the region. He noted that the Women, Peace and Security agenda should not be understood narrowly as applying only to conflict settings, but as a broader framework for inclusive governance, prevention and long-term stability. As he stated, “the Women, Peace and Security agenda has always been about something broader: who participates in shaping the future.”
While in Bukhara, the SRSG also met with H.E. Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. They discussed cooperation between UNRCCA and Uzbekistan, including support for regional dialogue, preventive diplomacy and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
They also exchanged views on the work of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus and planned activities under Uzbekistan’s chairpersonship.
The SRSG reaffirmed UNRCCA’s readiness to continue supporting the Caucus, in close cooperation with its members and relevant regional and international partners.
