At the invitation of the Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia, SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sabyr Imandosov took part in the seminar "Role of women and the youth in the prevention of conflicts in Central Asia" in Almaty between 19-21 June 2017.
The seminar was attended by representatives of government agencies, parliaments and strategic research institutions in Central Asia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, as well as members of diplomatic missions accredited in Central Asia and leading international experts.
The seminar participants exchanged views on implementing their national programmes pursuant to UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889 and 2250 set to strengthen the response to challenges facing women and the youth in crises at both national and international levels.
Some of the heated points of discussion concerned efforts of Central Asian governments in empowering women and the youth in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, the role of the UN and other international and regional organisations in expanding the involvement of women and the youth.
A detailed discussion focused on the situation in war zones in the Middle East, Iraq, and Syria as well as in Afghanistan and also bordering territories.
In his address, Sabyr Imandosov reported on the recent SCO Heads of State Council meeting held in Astana and its results, including the measures to prevent terrorism, extremism and separatism, combat against drug trafficking. The seminar participants were informed about the SCO's cooperation with relevant UN bodies and other international organisations.
SCO Deputy Secretary-General urged the participants to take an active part in forums involving women and the youth under the auspices of the SCO, which could serve the purpose of realising the potential of the organisation.