DUSHANBE, October 17, 2008, Asia-Plus -- The UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCA) hosted a working meeting of deputy foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in Ashgabat on 16 October.

According to the MFA information department, Tajik Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Mr. Qozidavlat Qoimdodov, represented Tajikistan at that meeting.

The meeting participants exchanged views on challenges and potential threats to regional security in Central Asia.  They also discussed problems of border control, ecology, efficient use of water-energy resources, ecological, food and energy security as well as issues related to stabilization of situation in Afghanistan. The meeting also discussed a program of actions prepared by UNRCCA for the next three years.  The meeting participants agreed to keep the current format of meetings.  

UNRCCA was established by the UN last year to help the countries of the region – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – respond more proactively to cross-border challenges and threats, such as terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime and environmental degradation, before they become costlier and more difficult to control.  It is also expected to work closely with the existing UN programs and agencies operating in Central Asia, as well as with regional groups such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).