BATKEN, Kyrgyz republic - ISFARA, Tajikistan --

On 9-11 April, a joint UNRCCA/UNDP team visited the Batken - Isfara section of the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in connection with reported recent security incidents. This mission was conducted within broader UNRCCA consistent preventive efforts and aimed to assess the overall situation on the ground and determine possible practical steps of the Regional Center and UN agencies within their respective mandates. The team included representatives of the Regional Centre in Bishkek, Dushanbe and UNRCCA headquarters in Ashgabat, and UNDP representatives of the country offices in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, including Peace and Development Advisors.

During the visit, a number of meetings were held with officials of regional, district and village administrations in the Batken province of Kyrgyzstan and in the Sughd province of Tajikistan, as well as local communities, civil society and international organizations.

Following the results of the visit, specific recommendations will be provided regarding possible support of UNRCCA and UN Country Teams in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on confidence-building measures for further discussions with the governments of both countries.