UNRCCA TAKES PART IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY

14 May 2020

UNRCCA TAKES PART IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

On 14 May 2020, SRSG Natalia Gherman took part in the video conference “Preventive Diplomacy: A Case of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and UNRCCA”. The aim of the conference was to share academic knowledge and practical examples of preventive diplomacy, taking into consideration the regional developments.       

The video conference was organized by the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Office in Geneva and chaired by Ambassador Atageldy Haljanov. SRSG Natalia Gherman, Ambassador of Afghanistan based in Geneva Nasir Ahmad Andisha, the Director of Geneva Centre for Security Policy Christian Dussey and the Rector of the International University for Humanities and Development Esen Aydogdiyev were invited as keynote speakers. More than one hundred students representing three universities in Turkmenistan were also invited to take part in the conference.

In her presentation, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Asia, Natalia Gherman briefed about the history of the creation of UNRCCA and presented preventive diplomacy actions taken by the Centre since 2008. The SRSG also focused on the current priority areas and activities of UNRCCA in the field of counter-terrorism, transboundary water management and promoting preventive diplomacy tools among youth, making special reference to Preventive Diplomacy Academy initiative.

The SRSG highlighted the efforts of the Central Asian states in providing mutual support during the current COVID-19 pandemic, reinforced by regular contacts at different levels, including at the highest political level. She stressed that apart from humanitarian assistance, countries in the region ensured flow of the most essential goods as well as delivery of electricity, oil and gas. The SRSG presented this ongoing cooperation as a clear example of preventive efforts taken by the Central Asian states to mitigate the consequences of the current global crisis and to ensure regional peace and stability.   

At the end of the conference the speakers answered numerous questions put by the students.