On December 11, 2017, the International Conference "The UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia: 10 Years of Cooperation with Central Asia for Peace and Prosperity of the Region" was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Center.
Heads of diplomatic missions of foreign countries and representatives of international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, officers of the diplomatic service of Turkmenistan, representatives of the Turkmen media and accredited foreign journalists were invited to participate in the conference.
Greeting the participants of the conference, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov addressed the welcoming speech. Speaking about the role of the UN General Assembly resolution on the role of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, it was noted that the unanimous adoption of this resolution at the 55th plenary meeting of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly as a fundamental document was another evidence of recognition by the world community the peaceful policy of Turkmenistan.
In this context, it was stated that the opening of this Center with the support of all of the states of the region once again confirmed the unity of the course of the world community for creating conditions for cooperation of the Central Asian countries with the UN and other international organizations.
In her speech, UN Special Representative for Central Asia, Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalya German noted that the Central Asian region has accumulated experience in resolving conflict situations through the use of preventive diplomacy and negotiation process.
The plenary session, entitled "Promoting dialogue, preventing conflicts: best practices, lessons and future perspectives" began its work with a video about the activities of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.
Then the floor was given to the heads of delegations of the participating countries. The reports were made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan A.Kamilov, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania D.Nekulaesku, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan E.Ashikbayev, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic D.Kemelova, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan M. Khuseinzoda, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation A. Pankin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan N. Andisha, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Turkmenistan Sun Weydun.
After a short break, the second plenary session entitled "Preventive diplomacy in action: global experience, cooperation between regional organizations and UN agencies" was held. During the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe O. Algaerova, director of the UNAMA Political Affairs Division Scott Smith, Deputy Secretary General of the SCO V.Potapenko, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee-Executive Secretary of the CIS S.Ivanov, Head of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat N.Drozd, Director General of the Department of bilateral political affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey V.Altay. During the speeches, the speakers expressed their views on topical issues of foreign policy and international relations, the modern experience of neutrality. A special role was assigned to two significant dates - the International Day of Neutrality and the 10th anniversary of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.
