ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan
On 28 April 2026, the UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA) hosted an online session bringing together representatives from the UNRCCA and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The session provided a platform for young participants to explore the United Nations’ role in advancing preventive diplomacy, focusing on Central Asia and Afghanistan, as well as key thematic priorities including Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS).
The session underscored preventive diplomacy as a core United Nations tool for addressing emerging challenges and fostering regional cooperation. Andriy Larin, Political Affairs Officer at UNRCCA, presented the Centre’s regional mandate, highlighting its sustained efforts to promote dialogue, strengthen confidence-building measures, and foster cooperation among Central Asian countries. He highlighted the growing importance of integrating the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas into regional initiatives, as well as addressing shared transboundary challenges, including water management.
Emphasizing UNRCCA’s continued commitment to the region, he stated, “Since its establishment, UNRCCA has actively supported preventive diplomacy across a range of issues of strategic importance to Central Asia.”
Primrose Oteng, Political Affairs Officer at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), presented an overview of the Mission’s mandate in Afghanistan, drawing attention to its work in a complex and rapidly evolving political environment. She placed particular emphasis on youth engagement under the Youth, Peace and Security agenda, highlighting that “Inclusive engagement with young people is critical to advancing sustainable peace, particularly in complex and evolving contexts such as Afghanistan”.
The session also featured an interactive discussion, allowing participants to engage with practitioners, deepen their understanding of United Nations field operations, and reflect on evolving regional dynamics.
Based in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, UNRCCA continues to advance preventive diplomacy across Central Asia, working in close cooperation with regional governments, civil society, and international partners, while the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) leads the United Nations’ political and peace efforts in Afghanistan, with a focus on promoting stability, human rights, and inclusive governance as essential pillars of sustainable peace.
