ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

On 29 June, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and the Senate of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized a regional roundtable focusing on global solidarity and partnership in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The event was held within the framework of the Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus launched in 2020 with the support of UNRCCA and UNDP, to boost political, economic and social participation of women in Central Asia. SRSG Natalia Gherman and the Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan H.E. Mrs. Tanzila Narbaeva co-chaired the event.

The roundtable brought together members of the Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus and leaders of international and regional women platforms to share best practices in promoting Women, Peace and Security agenda in their respective contexts.

Underscoring pivotal importance of regional and global solidarity to promote the WPS agenda, SRSG Gherman noted that: “ …due to its vision, commitment and leverage Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus is uniquely placed to both play a key role in mitigating tensions and bolstering cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and to effectively contribute to advancing Women, Peace and Security Agenda globally.”

Permanent Representatives of Ireland and Mexico to the UN, in their capacity as co-chairs of the UN Security Council expert group on the Women, Peace and Security stressed importance of global partnership in addressing issues impeding implementation of the 1325 worldwide.

The roundtable familiarized members of the WLC with the work of international and global WPS platforms, contributed to enhancement of cross-regional partnership and elicited unique  experience of women of Central Asia in promoting peace and security in the region.

Members of the WLC undertook to continue expanding regional co-operation between women at all levels and proposed innovative approaches and formats of partnership with the aim of increasing the role of women in peacebuilding processes. Particular attention was paid to further inclusion of women of Afghanistan into the work of the WLC and other regional frameworks and initiatives such as WPS Humanitarian Action Compact and Global Alliance of the Regional Women Mediators’ Network.

The Women Leaders’ Caucus members unanimously adopted the Joint Statement reiterating the commitment to promotion of the WPS and emphasizing Central Asian women’s role in strengthening regional co-operation and partnership at all levels.

The full text of the Joint Statement of the Central Asia Women Leaders' Caucus is available here