The Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS), Eldor Aripov, participated in the 2nd quarterly briefing of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) for Member States, held in a hybrid format chaired by Mauro Miedico, UNOCT Officer-in-Charge.

The briefing was attended by heads of UN units, including the UN Human Rights Office, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and UN Women, as well as representatives of Interpol, IMF, and member states of the organization.

Opening the briefing, Mauro Miedico said that despite the efforts of the international community, terrorist groups continue to pose a threat to peace and stability, and there remains a risk of expansion of their activities.    

Against this background, cooperation to counter these threats is crucial. In this direction, the UNOCT provides states with comprehensive support.

In this context, Mauro Miedico highlighted the successful First Meeting of the Regional Expert Council (REC) in Central Asia on the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returnees, held in May in Tashkent in co-operation with the Government of Uzbekistan. 

“The event represents a unique platform for Central Asian states to exchange experience and information on the repatriation of their citizens from conflict zones”, the UN High Representative said.

Speaking at the event, ISRS Director Eldor Aripov emphasized that cooperation with the UN is an essential foreign policy priority for Uzbekistan.

“The visit of Mr. António Guterres, the Secretary-General, to Tashkent and the discussion of a wide range of issues on the bilateral agenda, including countering terrorism and extremism, provides a clear indication of this”, he stressed.

The ISRS Director outlined the specific goals and objectives of the Regional Expert Council initiated by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, highlighting the pivotal role of the REC’s activity in the institutionalization of regional cooperation and consolidation of efforts of the countries of the region in the fight against terrorism and extremism.

Eldor Aripov also noted that this year, a global conference on local community participation in countering radicalization and the second Regional Expert Council meeting, at which a plan for its further work will be approved, are planned. He invited a wide range of experts and civil society representatives to participate in these events.

In conclusion, the ISRS Director once again confirmed his commitment to further deepening cooperation with the UNOCT in all areas of mutual interest.

In turn, Mauro Miedico, UNOCT Officer-in-Charge expressed gratitude to the Government of Uzbekistan for its key role in establishing the Regional Expert Council in Central Asia. 

“We consider the REC as a model of cooperation between countries to exchange experience and maintain a focus on very important issues, such as the rehabilitation and reintegration of returnees from conflict zones”, he said. The UN representative also pledged full UNOCT support for the activities of the Regional Expert Council.

The UNOCT organizes quarterly briefings in accordance with the UN resolution of 3 September 2010. These events discuss current trends and strategic priorities in counterterrorism and the implementation of the UNOCT’s mandate under the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

UzA