Violent extremism, financing terrorism, cyber security and drug trafficking were discussed at the International Conference in Samarkand

More than 500 representatives from more than 20 countries and of several international organizations participated in the historical event in Samarkand city of Uzbekistan - the International Conference on Security and Sustainable Development in Central Asia organized under the auspices of the United Nations «Central Asia: Shared Past and Common Future, Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Mutual Prosperity». High level representatives of the UN, EU, OSCE, SCO, CIS, the Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, USA, European states, Russia, China, Turkey, Iran, India, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea and others, as well as scientists, public figures and officials took part in the conference held on 10-11 November, 2017.

The international community recognized the importance of regional and global cooperation, especially on countering drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, and terrorism.

"These are all interests in the field of security that we share - and we could continue with a long list - on which we will only deliver through regional and international cooperation. And our common work on security reflects this situation." said Vice-President of the European Commission Ms. Federica Mogherini in her welcoming speech.

"Central Asian states are making a weighty contribution to deepening dialogue and cooperation and helping maintain comprehensive security, especially in the fight against international terrorism and the spread of terrorist ideology, a global evil. They are also contributing to the fight against illegal drug trafficking. Strengthening regional peace and active involvement in ensuring global stability and security has been, is and always will be the focus of SCO activity. Another priority is facilitating the region's sustained socioeconomic development," noted the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Mr. Rashid Alimov during the conference.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime for Central Asia, as a co-organizer of the International Conference, hosted the breakout session dedicated to regional stability and security issues in Central Asian, which was moderated by the UNODC Regional representative for Central Asia, Ms. Ashita Mittal. During the session participants discussed threats from violent extremism in Central Asia, problems of radicalization, financing of terrorism, and money laundering and other topics.

At the sessions on security, participants underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation on preventing cross-border terrorist activities, suppressing recruitment channels of militants, countering terrorism financing and arms smuggling, ensuring cyber security and protecting information space from extremist attacks, referring to the Joint Plan of Action for implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia, the Ashgabat Declaration and the results of the "High-level Dialogue between the UN and Central Asia on implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia", held on 13 June 2017, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, under the chairmanship of the UN Secretary-General.

Participants paid special attention to the cooperation of the Central Asian states with UNODC and Interpol on countering drug trafficking in the region through mobilizing additional resources, new technologies and methods to combat illicit trafficking of drugs and precursors.

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, the Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia Gherman noted the historic importance of this international conference in ensuring peace and stability in the region, strengthening relations of good-neighborliness between the states. 

Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for Central Asia, Ms. Ashita Mittal noted that the international conference once again demonstrated the commonality of views of the states of the region in issues of ensuring stability and the fight against drug and human trafficking, and that the proposals and initiatives forwarded at the conference will become a basis for subsequent dialogues, and this is fully supported by all UN structures. 

A communiqué was adopted following the international conference.