On 5-6 April 2018, at the invitation of UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, SRSG Natalia Gherman took part in the regional meeting of the UN Resident Coordinators of Europe and Central Asia. The meeting in Istanbul was convened to analyse the implications of UN Reform on the UN Development system and the coordinating mechanisms between different UN entities in order to deliver as One UN on the 2030 Agenda. New ways of partnering and communicating in an evolving development landscape were in the focus of discussion. 

SRSG Gherman briefed the participants in a special session on the political and security evolutions in the Central Asian region and outlined areas where cooperation with the UNDP and other UN agencies, funds and programmes was crucial in order to address challenges and opportunities for ensuring security and sustainable development of Central Asia. SRSG underlined that one of the UNRCCA’s tasks was to provide a political framework and leadership for the preventive activities of the UN country teams in the region, but also to support efforts in promoting an integrated approach to preventive development and humanitarian work. In this context, mainstreaming of preventive diplomacy efforts should remain a priority of the UN in the region.