ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

The UNRCCA convened an online session of its Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA) under the theme “The UN System and the Foundations of Multilateral Cooperation.” The session featured Mr. Akylbai Eleusizov, Team Leader for Central Asia and the South Caucasus at the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Department of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO).

The event, which brought together 48 young participants from Central Asia and Afghanistan, aimed to enhance understanding of the United Nations’ role in promoting peace and security at the regional and global levels.

In his presentation, Mr. Eleusizov provided an overview of the UN’s peace and security architecture, including the roles and responsibilities of the Security Council, the General Assembly, and the Secretariat. He elaborated on the pivotal work of the DPPA, particularly in conflict prevention, political analysis, crisis response, and peacebuilding. Special emphasis was placed on the Department’s support for UNRCCA and its mandate to assist the countries of Central Asia in strengthening regional dialogue and cooperation.

The session explored current global peace and security dynamics, highlighting the rise of multidimensional challenges such as protracted conflicts, the impact of decolonization, and the growing risks posed by the climate crisis.

Mr. Eleusizov also introduced the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, underscoring its call to reinvigorate multilateralism, place prevention at the core of global peace efforts, and adopt a people-centered approach inclusive of women, youth, and marginalized communities.

Participants engaged actively in the discussion, demonstrating a strong grasp of the United Nations’ core principles, including impartiality, pursuing political solutions, inclusivity, and respecting human rights. The importance of regional cooperation in advancing peace and development in Central Asia was also emphasized.

The session concluded by reaffirming the importance of empowering youth as key agents of peace. Through initiatives such as the PDA, UNRCCA remains committed to equipping young leaders with the tools and knowledge necessary to contribute to sustainable peace and multilateral cooperation in the region and beyond.