UNODC and partners launched Turkmenistan Ashgabat Model United Nations (TAMUN) initiative aimed at youth empowerment and promoting human rights and rule of law, preventing trafficking in persons and terrorism.

On 25 - 28 February 2023,  the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) jointly with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and US Agency of International Development (USAID)/Winrock International  launched Turkmenistan Ashgabat Model United Nations (TAMUN) initiative with a training session conducted jointly with the invited Model UN (MUN) experts representing the Students’ Union of the Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT SU) to introduce the participants to the MUN world, including the MUN rules and procedures.      

Additionally, special thematic sessions on counterterrorism, prevention of violent extremism, human rights, as well as crime prevention, countering trafficking in persons were conducted by the UN representatives for the training participants.

TAMUN also aims to support and complement the initiative of the UNODC on the roll-out of education materials in Turkmenistan and other education initiatives carried out by UNOCT, UNRCCA, OHCHR, and USAID-Winrock International. Besides, the activities foreseen in the framework of TAMUN, UNODC ROCA jointly with partners aim to facilitate the establishment of MUN clubs at the base of tertiary education institutions of Turkmenistan.

“I think this is a great opportunity for youth participants to learn about the UN, to develop essential skills that they will need in the future. It is very important to have not just knowledge, but also analytical and communication skills, and the ability to negotiate – these are useful skills that you’ll be learning and that you’ll take forward in your future careers. It’s a good chance to learn about the UN and about UNODC – we have a very broad mandate that focuses on the various types of global problems, and global threats, whether it is drugs, crime, terrorism, corruption, promoting the rule of law, promoting a culture of integrity – we promote the UN standards on crime prevention and criminal justice and I hope you’ll have an opportunity to familiarize yourself with these standards,”- said Koen Marquering, UNODC International  Programme Coordinator.

Established in 1947, the MUN is an activity that is aimed at enhancing the young participants’ knowledge about the United Nations, strengthening their understanding of contemporary global issues, developing their writing and communications, debating, and negotiating, as well as teamwork skills through real-life simulations of the UN commissions and committees’ meetings.

“The training sessions, that were conducted with the youth of Turkmenistan, helped them to learn more about UN and MUN Conferences, as well as serving as a key role in building strong cooperation and friendship between the youth of the two nations from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. During the training, the young generation was able to enhance their knowledge about global threats such as corruption, terrorism, and crime, as well as by learning about human rights and preventive diplomacy. From the first day, we and the talented Turkmen youth got engaged in the session with enthusiasm and had a great experience by sharing skills, exchanging thoughts, getting acquainted with the cultures, and becoming close friends. I was more than excited to meet with Turkmen youth and believe to continue the strong cooperation further,”- said Oftobkhon Akhadjonova, Secretary General of Westminster International University in Tashkent, Students’ Union/UNODC ROCA student-intern.

The TAMUN envisages as series of preparatory activities on the MUN rules and procedures that will run throughout the year to train a cohort of young delegates, including the Young SDG Ambassadors, the Alumni of the UNRCCA’s Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA) as well as students of the Turkmen State University, the Institute of International Relations of the MFA, and International University of Humanities and Development who will further take part in the TAMUN conference in October 2023 that will conclude the initiative.

For further information please contact:

Arifa Fatikhova 

Communications and External Relations Officer

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 

Regional Office for Central Asia

Mobile: (+998 99) 825-05-43 | Email: arifa.fatikhova[at]un.org