DUSHANBE, Tajikistan

The eleventh annual Meeting of the Deputy Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian states, convened by the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), took place in Dushanbe on 8 December 2021.

The purpose of the annual meeting was to exchange information on the latest developments and trends affecting peace and security in the region as well as to discuss cooperation between UNRCCA and the governments of the Central Asian states to address existing and emerging challenges through preventive diplomacy tools. 

In her statement the Special Representative of Secretary-General for Central Asia, Natalia Gherman, underlined that despite multiple challenges, regional cooperation has not been undermined in Central Asia, with countries continuing efforts to improve and strengthen regional interaction. This was clearly demonstrated at the annual Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in August 2021, where the Presidents expressed readiness to expand contacts and make the positive dynamics in the region irreversible.

During the discussion, the Deputy Foreign Ministers and senior UN officials explored ways on how the UN Regional Centre could further support efforts of the countries in the region in such key areas as preventing radicalization and countering terrorism, finding long term solutions in trans-boundary water management, and increasing role of women and youth in public life. They expressed particular concern about the situation in Afghanistan and reconfirmed the leading role of the UN in ensuring peace and stability and providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

The event was also marked by the presentation of the fourth phase of the UNRCCA-UNOCT project “Towards a comprehensive implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia.”

According to the established practice, within the margins of this meeting, the UN Regional Center conducted the Third Dialogue between the governments and youth of Central Asia. Young graduates of UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy, representing all five countries, shared views and recommendations on issues related to preventive diplomacy.

High-level participants indicated the crucial role of UNRCCA in supporting cooperation between the Central Asian states and reconfirmed the commitment to the principles of preventive diplomacy.