According to the Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry, the UN admires Turkmenistan’s role in enforcing the counter-terrorism strategy in Central Asia. This issue was reported following a meeting between the foreign minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and UN Under-Secretary-General, Head of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office Vladimir Voronkov on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The parties examined the further development of partnership in the fight against terrorism, emphasising the significance of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy located in Ashgabat, where spokespeople of the Counter-Terrorism Office are actively working.

Earlier on January 23, 2024, the annual High-level briefing on the programs and schemes of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism carried out in Central Asia was maintained at the UN headquarters in New York, reports the publication “Turkmenistan: The Golden Age”

Unlocking the briefing, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov commented that the states of Central Asia continue to improve their individual and collective actions to prevent and counter-terrorism and damaging extremism at the national, regional and international levels.

He stressed that the governments of the Central Asian nations are demonstrating their commitment to collective action to stop and counter terrorist threats and fulfil relevant duties under international law. Voronkov thanked donor states, including Turkmenistan, for their valuable assistance and financial support for the activities of the Counter-Terrorism Directorate. He stated that voluntary contributions are the primary source of funding for UN activities in this area and play a critical role in ensuring an effective fight against terrorism.

The significance of the existing Early Warning Network to fight terrorism in the region was noted, which forms the basis for intensifying and systematising the business of information, as well as coordinating the work of various national and regional structures working in this area in Central Asia and neighbouring countries.

In her address, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the UN A. Atayeva reported that Turkmenistan continues to resolutely and thoroughly implement the five-year National Strategy and Action Plan for Stopping Violent Extremism and Countering Terrorism, adopted in 2020 with the consent of the UNOCT.

She emphasised that focus areas for Turkmenistan remain such areas as early warning tools and preventive activities, in particular the Early Warning Network, as well as assuring the security and stability of energy and transport infrastructure in the context of terrorist threats, with a focus on the development of the UN Global Expert Network for the safety of vulnerable targets from terrorist attacks. Atayeva reported Turkmenistan’s readiness to deliver practical assistance to UN structures in the further implementation of the above initiatives.