AN EXPERT meeting on implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia was held in the Slovak capital on December 15-16. The meeting, the first in a series of counter-terrorism expert meetings at a regional level, took place under the auspices of the Slovak Foreign Ministry.
The meeting is part of a joint initiative of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and the European Union, working with the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia to assist central Asian countries in strengthening their efforts to fight terrorism, the UN Information Service in Vienna announced in a news release.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Miroslav Jenča, said anti-terrorism efforts are high on the agenda of decision-makers in the region in light of the multi-faceted nature of the threat.
“There is a danger of intensifying activities of various extremist, terrorist, and criminal groups and networks operating in Central Asia, fuelled by instability in the wider region and porous borders,” Jenča said. “Prevention of terrorism in Central Asia is central not only to protecting the well-being of populations and ensuring national and regional stability, it is also part of a more global approach to security which recognises linkages between terrorism, criminality, money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and lawlessness.
The expert discussions which started on December 15 will seek to lay the groundwork for increased coordination of efforts and international partnership to address a common evil.”
Among the issues to be discussed are conflict prevention and mediation, trans-border security threats including terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime; addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism though social development and social inclusion, poverty reduction and achieving the Millennium Development Goals; inter-ethnic and inter-religious tolerance and dialogue; and ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law for all, including good governance.
