The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosts the conference dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the UNRCCA

Heads and representatives of national diplomatic corps, foreign departments of Central Asian countries – the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan as well as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and number of other countries took part in the forum held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, the Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, the Executive Secretary of the UN European Economic Commission, the UN Permanent Coordinator, the UNDP Permanent Representative in Turkmenistan, the Head of the OSCE in Ashgabat were among the participants. The representatives of the UN Mission of Support of Afghanistan and other international organizations including the SCO and the CIS, diplomatic missions accredited in or country as well as mass media took part in the Conference. 

Opening the Conference, the representative of Turkmenistan conveyed warm greetings and wishes of successful work to the participants for President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. It was mentioned that such representative composition of the participants of the forum is the indicator of keen interest, recognition and support of the UNRCCA activity by the countries of the region and entire world community and the evidence of high authority that was gained by professional and productive work on the achievement of set targets and objectives. 

The work of the Centre is not limited by political range of problems but also covers the issues of sustainable development, protection of the environment, support of educational programmes and projects, humanitarian dialog and others. Turkmenistan welcomes the expansion of the range of the UNRCCA work, considering it as an important input to the achievement of strategic goal – the establishment of solid system of peace, stability and security in Central Asia. 

After, the floor was given to Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia Gherman. Addressing the participants, the Head of the Centre cordially congratulated the members on the 10th anniversary of the UNRCCA on behalf of the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, having also highlighted that current celebration falls on International Neutrality Day that would be observed by the world community on December 12. 

In her speech, Mrs Gherman expressed sincere gratitude to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for his personal enthusiasm and permanent support of the activity of the Centre, for high level of organization of the activities timed to this remarkable date. 

It was noted that for the past 10 years, the UNRCCA acquired big potential making considerable input to the support of peace and stability in the region, what has been done by application of the tools of preventive diplomacy, which necessity is on high demand today. The efforts of the Centre are aimed at the development of fruitful cooperation between Central Asia countries, support of their foreign initiatives oriented at he establishment of good relations. 

It was also highlighted that the leaders of the United Nations pay great attention to this region. Thus, in 2017, the UN Secretary General has visited all five Central Asia countries including Turkmenistan. In this regard, Mrs Gherman has focused on the High-level Dialog between the UN and Central Asia on Realization of the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy meeting held in Turkmen capital in June of this year. 

The trust and constructive cooperation are the most important things in preventive diplomacy. Speaking of this, the Head of the UNRCCA expressed deep gratitude to Turkmenistan for the initiation of the Resolution on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Centre as well as to all Central Asian states who were the co-authors of this Resolution. 

This is important for the whole region as it reflects the priorities of our partnership for security and prosperity of Central Asia, Mrs Gherman highlighted, having assured that the UNRCCA would continue working actively in this direction. 

Special video about the activity of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia was demonstrated to the participants of the forum. 

The conference continued its work in the format of plenary sessions “Promotion of Dialog, Prevention of Conflicts: Best Practices, Lessons and Look to the Future” and “Preventive Diplomacy in Action: World Practice, Cooperation of the UN Regional Organizations and Structures”. 

It was mentioned in the speeches that the last years proved the importance of permanent neutral status of Turkmenistan as efficient mechanism for the consolidation of regional global peace and security, provision of sustainable development and correspondence to ideals and goals of the United Nations Organizations. 

Demonstrating new integrated approaches to the solution of topical issues of the present, pur country invariably stands out from the positions of wide international cooperation for the interests of universal prosperity and progress. this fact defined the selection of Turkmen capital as the Headquarter of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, which was unanimously supported by all states of the region. 

Head of Turkmen State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took personal part in the ceremonial opening of the UNRCCA, the structures with no analogue within the UN, in Ashgabat on December 10, 2017. The President of Turkmenistan initiated the foundation of this structure, having given the start of the process of the formation of new model of cooperation in one of the strategic region of the planet. The implementation of this conceptual idea was supported with the understanding of the relevance and necessity of such Centre by the UN and regional community, first, by Central Asia states. 

Thus, the permanently operating working agency, which is to be the catalyst of constructive dialog, prevention of conflicts and development of joint solutions based on political and legal mechanisms and huge moral authority of the United Nations and its political and organizational course, appeared for the first time in the region. 

The fact of the adoption of relative Resolution reflecting high interest of international community in the potential of preventive diplomacy and increased requirement of peace-making practice of neutral Turkmenistan and its creative initiatives on occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Centre at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly visually indicates the important role of the UNRCCA. 57 states representing all continents of the planet were the co-authors of this document. 

In this regard, it was highlighted that the UN sees our country as reliable and responsible partner that makes great contribution to consolidation and expansion of regional and international cooperation. Active interaction of Turkmenistan with the United Nations and its key structures including with the UNRCCA is expressed by the elaboration of new coordinated approaches aimed at the realization f programme objectives of the regional development and at further successful integration to the modern system of the world economy. 

The work of the UNRCCA, which made and continues making considerable contribution to the consolidation of peace and stability in the regions, establishment of trust climate and creation of good neighbourliness and cooperation environment, received high appraisal during the Conference. It was mentioned that this is the first UN structure specialized in such activity, which can be the model for similar cooperation in other regions of the planet. 

Summing up the forum, the participants noted its large practical importance. The conference has demonstrated that preventive e diplomacy is a living creative process including political, economic, historical and cultural aspects. 

It was highlighted on behalf of our country that Turkmenistan would continue assisting the work of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and comprehensively support the consolidation of its role and authority. Special gratitude has been expressed to the leaders of the states of the region and the UN Secretary General.