THE ROUND TABLE MEETING ON THE WORK PLAN OF UNRCCA FOR 2018 WAS HELD AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKMENISTAN

On February 13, 2018, a meeting was held in the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan in the format of a round table devoted to acquaintance with the activities of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) for 2018. The round table was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan in cooperation with UNRCCA.

The round table was attended by the heads of diplomatic missions of foreign countries and representatives of international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, employees of the diplomatic service of Turkmenistan, representatives of the Turkmen media, as well as foreign journalists accredited in the country.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan V.Hadjiev made an opening address, noting that this event is considered timely, which will allow to get acquainted with the activities of the Center for the forthcoming year in more details and wider.

As stressed in the presentation, preventive diplomacy is one of the main functions of the UN and occupies a central place among the functions of the Secretary-General. In this regard, the role of special political missions of the United Nations was highlighted, one of which is UNRCCA.

The significant role of UNRCCA's activities is clearly demonstrated by the adoption of the resolution on the "Role of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia" in commemoration of its 10th anniversary at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, which reflected the high interest of the international community in the potential of preventive diplomacy and the increased demand for the peacekeeping experience of neutral Turkmenistan and its initiatives.

Then the floor was given to the special representative of the UN Secretary-General, the head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia Herman. The head of the Regional Center briefed the participants of the round table about the work carried out over the past year, and also acquainted with the activities of the Center for 2018, which will be carried out within the framework of the adopted Program of Action of the Center for the period 2018-2020, approved at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of Central Asia and Afghanistan on December 11, 2017 in Ashgabat.

As noted, over the years, the UNRCCA has developed a solid capacity, making a significant contribution to the promotion of peace, security and stability in the region, which was carried out through the use of tools of preventive diplomacy, the need for which is very high today.

The head of the center told about the upcoming events that will be aimed at further promotion of preventive diplomacy in the region in all sectors, develop coordinated positions on issues of strengthening of effective cooperation in support of the Center, as well as the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and promoting regional integration of Afghanistan.

The Centre's activities are not limited to political issues, but also to the preservation of the environment and water resources. In this regard, the need for rational use of natural and transboundary water resources was noted, and the Aral Sea issue was also touched upon. As Natalia Herman noted, the Center will continue to actively cooperate with Turkmenistan to address the problems of the Aral Sea, especially during its presidency in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.