NEW YORK -

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held meetings with H.E. Mr. Asylbek Jeenbekov, Speaker of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and H.E. Hamrokhon Zarifi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan in the margins of the 67th regular session of the UN General Assembly. Press statements, highlighting key points of discussions, were issued after each meeting.

New York, 26 September 2012- Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Asylbek Jeenbekov, Speaker of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, on the margins of the 67th United Nations General Assembly

The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Asylbek Jeenbekov, Speaker of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic.

They discussed the situation in the country, covering issues of governance, judicial reform, human rights, the on-going peacebuilding process and inter-ethnic reconciliation.

The Secretary-General expressed his hope that the Concept of Ethnic Policy would soon be approved and implemented.

They also addressed Kyrgyzstan’s active engagement in the region and issues related to water and energy.

New York, 28 September 2012- Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, on the margins of the 67th United Nations General Assembly

The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

They discussed regional cooperation, particularly the need to find a mutually acceptable solution to the region’s water and energy challenges. In this regard, they recognized the useful role of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Jenca.

The Secretary-General strongly encouraged Turkmenistan to ratify the Optional Protocol Convention against Torture and establish a Nation Preventive Mechanism under the Protocol.

The Secretary-General also thanked the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs for the support Turkmenistan was providing to Afghanistan.

New York, 29 September 2012- Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Hamrokhon Zarifi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, on the margins of the 67th United Nations General Assembly

The Secretary-General today met with H. E. Mr. Hamrokhon Zarifi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan.

They discussed issues concerning the Roghun hydropower station, recent developments in Tajikistan and the situation in Afghanistan, including the “Heart of Asia” process. They noted the importance of regional cooperation on water and energy management.

The Secretary-General welcomed Tajikistan’s continued engagement in regional efforts to promote the stability and development of Afghanistan.