ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

On 10 December 2022, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, UNRCCA in partnership with the Government of Turkmenistan, represented by the Scientific Centre of Strategic Studies of the Institute of International Relations, organized Fifth Central Asian Expert Forum (CAEF). Directors and leading experts of the Institutes of Strategic Studies from all five Central Asian states as well as members of the diplomatic community in Turkmenistan attended the Forum. 

The Expert Forum, initiated by the UNRCCA in 2018, serves as a platform for leading Central Asian think-tanks for discussions on most outstanding issues of the regional agenda, aimed at deepening regional cooperation in all the key areas of interaction. The 5^th Central Asian Expert Forum was devoted to the 27^th anniversary of Neutrality of Turkmenistan and the 15^th anniversary of UNRCCA.

At the opening of the Forum, SRSG Natalia Gherman noted that the CAEF established itself as an important regional platform and has largely contributed to much needed exchanges, expertise, as well as to formulating recommendations for the annual Consultative meetings of the Leaders of the five states of the region. The CAEF in Ashgabat was held against the backdrop of improved regional dynamics in Central Asia, especially account taken of the complex international situation globally. The Forum has also contributed to the activities of the Regional Centre in such areas as, countering terrorism and extremism, transboundary water management and climate change, advancing the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda and promoting Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

Participants focused on substantive discussions on such topical issues, as cooperation in addressing climate change and transboundary water resources management, food security and security in information and communication technologies.

As a result of the discussions, a set of concrete recommendations and ideas were proposed and would be submitted to Central Asian states for further consideration.