A three-day regional training on capacity building in the field of mediation and conflict prevention is concluding in the Kazakh capital of Astana today.

Organized the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) in cooperation with the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the training has reportedly gathered the diplomats and other government officials from all Central Asian nations and Afghanistan responsible for conflict analysis and resolutions in international affairs.

According to UNRCCA, the training program includes lectures on the overall concept of conflict prevention and the role of the United Nations in this context, analyzing root causes of conflicts and finding possible solutions meeting the interests of all parties.

Since its establishment in December 2007, the UN Regional Center has focused its efforts on capacity building on preventive diplomacy in the region. “In the context of globalization, states need to adapt their national policies to the diverse challenges of the modern world in order to deal effectively with them.  Today, more than ever, the strength of any state lies to a large extent in its ability to cooperate with others,” said in his welcoming speech Petko Draganov, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the UN Regional Center.

During the training the participants has also got acquainted with practical experience of experts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and academic institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in responding to conflicts and holding peace talks.

As noted by Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan: “Kazakhstan's policy in Central Asia, first of all, is aimed at strengthening mutual trust and recognition of common interests. Such a policy is caused by the fact that many of the region's problems are of a transboundary nature, which can only be resolved through joint efforts.”

Located in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat, UNRCCA was inaugurated in December 2007 to help the region’s countries respond more proactively to cross-border challenges and threats before they can become costlier and more difficult to control.

The Center is tasked with assisting the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in building capacities to peacefully prevent conflict, in facilitating dialogue, and in catalyzing international support behind projects and initiatives.