Ashgabat, 14 February, 2018: On 13 February 2018, SRSG Natalia Gherman held a briefing for the state officials and representatives of the Diplomatic community in Ashgabat, and the media accredited in Turkmenistan.   The briefing focused on the political and security situation in the region in the context of positive regional dynamics and on UNRCCA’s ongoing and planned preventive efforts in support of Central Asian governments. 

In this regard, SRSG Gherman elaborated  on the Centre’s plans for 2018 to advance regional cooperation, notably in addressing transnational threats, promoting water diplomacy, and fostering closer cooperation between Central Asian states and Afghanistan, through its political platforms and programmatic activities.  She particularly underlined the importance of further implementing in the region the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy within UNRCCA and the Office of Counterterrorism’s regional project and the Joint Plan of Action for Central Asia.

SRSG Gherman also took this opportunity to inform on her recent trip to New York, briefing at the Security Council, and participation in the high-level meeting on Central Asia and Afghanistan held in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Kazakhstan.

On this occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Vepa  Hadjiev reiterated his country’s support to the mandate and activities of the Centre and to the UN’s preventive efforts overall.