Expert meeting on implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia to be held in Tajikistan

ASHGABAT. 25 March. KAZINFORM The second in a series of counter-terrorism expert meetings at regional level (the first meeting was held in Bratislava, Slovakia, on December 15&16, 2010) will be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 29 & 30 March, 2011 with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The meeting in Dushanbe is part of a joint initiative of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task-Force (CTITF) and the European Union working with the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA). The aim of this initiative is to assist Central Asian countries to strengthen their efforts to fight the threat of terrorism and enhance cooperation at a regional level. The initiative is funded by the European Union with a financial contribution by Norway.

Experts from the Central Asian region and beyond will gather in Dushanbe to review Pillar II of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy on "preventing and combating terrorism". The expert meetings are expected to contribute to the elaboration of a joint Plan of Action on implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia, to be adopted at ministerial level meeting.

In the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "terrorism may be a gathering storm, but the international response is gathering steam. No cause or grievance can justify terrorism. Let me stress again the determination of the United Nations to rise to a global, cross-border challenge that seeks to do such harm to us all." (Statement to the Security Council, 27 September 2010).

The Central Asia initiative, which was launched in September 2010 in New York, shows how Member States are working together to implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted by consensus of the General Assembly more than four years ago and demonstrates a shared commitment from Central Asian countries, regional organizations, the UN system and the European Union towards enhanced coordination to effectively address the threat of terrorism.

The European Union has been one of the strongest proponents of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Through this initiative, the EU intends to work with the Governments of Central Asia to reinforce the security and stability of the region by means of the comprehensive implementation of the UN Strategy, a press release of the UN DPI in Kazakhstan reads.