ASTANA, Kazakhstan –

On 7-8 April, Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), visited Astana  to meet with the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov.

During the meetings an exchange of views took place on the current situation in Kazakhstan and in Central Asia, potential developments, taking into account the situation in Afghanistan and in the Middle East and negative external economic factors. Prospects for strengthening regional cooperation in dealing with cross-border threats, notably terrorism, violent extremism and drug trafficking were discussed. Issues related to the management of trans-boundary water resources and a broad range of issues related to the implementation of UNRCCA preventive activities were discussed as well. The SRSG expressed appreciation of the efforts deployed by Kazakhstan aimed at promoting peace, security and religious leaders’ dialogue in addressing the threats of violent extremism and terrorism.

The SRSG also delivered a lecture and participated in a round-table discussion on UNRCCA activities, the role and reform of the UN Security Council at the Academic Diplomatic Club of the Kazakh Humanities and Law University to students and representatives of the diplomatic corps.