ANNUAL MEETING OF CENTRAL ASIAN DEPUTY MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TOOK PLACE

On December 10, 2020, the annual meeting of the Deputy Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian countries in the format of a video conference was held, organized by the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA).

The current meeting was attended by UN Deputy Secretary General, Head of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office Vladimir Voronkov, UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca, UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Central Asia, Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia Gherman, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

 At the forum, the Turkmen delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan V. Khadzhiev.

 During the meeting, an analysis of the current situation in the region, in view of the rapidly changing picture at the global level, took place, including the joint efforts of the Central Asian states to respond to the threats and challenges of our time, including the issues of countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism. In this perspective, the importance of the role and activities of the Regional Center in supporting the efforts of the Central Asian states was emphasized.

 The participants also focused on strengthening cooperation and preventive efforts between the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan, as well as interaction of the parties with the active participation of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

 In his speech, V. Khadzhiev emphasized that work in this format provides good opportunities for considering issues related to the implementation of initiatives and proposals expressed at the top and attracting colleagues from international organizations to this work.

 The head of the Turkmen delegation, noting the importance of joint activities, drew the participants' attention to the need to intensify interaction in the field of reliable international transport during emergencies, environmental, energy and water security in the region, as well as to pay close attention to cyber security.

The need to strengthen the youth component was emphasized, relying on the proven initiatives of the Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy (Academy of Preventive Diplomacy).

 It was also noted that, in order to build the capacity of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, consistently unleash the Center's potential, expand the scope and intensity of its activities, Turkmenistan has prepared a draft UN General Assembly resolution on the role of the Regional Center, which will be presented in the first quarter of the next year within the framework of the current 75th session of the General Assembly.

 It was also stressed that the Turkmen side welcomes the cooperation of the Regional Center in the implementation of its mandate with a wide range of regional and sub-regional organizations, including the OSCE, SCO, CSTO, CIS, EU and CARICC, encouraging their peacekeeping efforts and initiatives, as well as facilitating coordination and exchange of information between the mentioned structures.

Touching upon the theme of closer interaction of the countries of the region with Afghanistan, the Turkmen side welcomed the intensification of cooperation between the Regional Center and UNAMA, which is able to significantly expand partnership and trust in the region with the active involvement of Afghanistan and its friendly people.

 During the meeting, the participants expressed their congratulations to the Government of Turkmenistan and the Turkmen people on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the country's permanent Neutrality.