AWAZA, Turkmenistan

On 6 August 2021, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia Natalia Gherman participated in the 3^rd Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Awaza, Turkmenistan.

Hosted by the President of Turkmenistan, the Consultative Meeting focused on strengthening intra-regional cooperation in common areas of priority such as security, connectivity, trade as well as the joint efforts in response to ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Central Asian Heads of State discussed the broad spectrum of cooperation with the UN.

In this regard, SRSG Gherman conveyed the UN’s firm support for the positive dynamics of the regional co-operation, emphasizing the progress achieved in addressing such common challenges as terrorism and violent extremism, drug trafficking, climate change and environmental degradation.

She also expressed particular appreciation of the ongoing regional efforts in implementing the global Youth, Peace and Security as well as Women, Peace and Security agendas. The latter most vocally manifested itself  through inviting the Women Leaders’ Caucus of Central Asia to hold their Forum back-to-back with the Consultative Meeting.

Commending this landmark initiative, SRSG stated that…”it demonstrates the importance attributed by the leadership of Central Asian States to gender equality and acknowledgement of the significant role of women in promoting and enhancing co-operation and peace and security in the region”.

The Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State concluded with the adoption of a Joint Statement focusing on enhanced co-operation in energy, trade, logistical connectivity and strengthening joint efforts to combat consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.