SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS ENGAGEMENT WITH REGION OF NEW UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL

CENTRE FOR PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY FOR CENTRAL ASIA HOLDS TREMENDOUS PROMISE

The following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Conference on International Cooperation for Preventive Diplomacy and inauguration of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, delivered by B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, today:

I am honoured to convey warm greetings to the President of Turkmenistan, the President of Tajikistan, the representatives of Central Asian countries and distinguished guests who have gathered to inaugurate the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.  Allow me to express deep gratitude to our host country of Turkmenistan for its generosity and to the countries of Central Asia for their commitment to this important project.

Preventive diplomacy is not an option -- it is a necessity.  As we know too well, dealing with the aftermath of violent conflict is costly.  Lives are needlessly lost.  Economies are destroyed.  Hopes for development are dashed.  Resolving conflicts, before violence occurs, is one of the smartest investments we can make.

The countries of Central Asia have made great strides in building their independent statehoods and frameworks for mutual dialogue and cooperation.  They have recognized that the shared challenges facing the region -- from extremism and terrorism to drug trafficking and environmental challenges -- require collective solutions.  The United Nations Regional Centre is committed to working with the Governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in addressing them all, and in ensuring peaceful growth and development in Central Asia.

The Centre will cooperate closely with regional organizations.  We are honoured to be joined today by representatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Economic Cooperation Organization and the Commonwealth of Independent States.  The Centre will provide a valuable forum for deepening our collaboration, for the benefit of the people of Central Asia and peace and stability throughout the region.

Finally, allow me to express deep appreciation and gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov of Turkmenistan for providing such excellent premises for the Centre to begin its work.  Our engagement holds tremendous promise.  We look forward to working with the Governments and people of Central Asia to fulfil that promise in the months and years ahead.

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For information media • not an official record