OSCE-supported Central Asian junior diplomats’ summer school debates 21st century diplomacy
Kyrgyz Diplomatic Academy under the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Kyrgyzstan, supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, is hosting the regional summer school for junior diplomats entitled “Diplomacy of the 21st Century: Central Asia in the Context of Globalization” in Issyk-Kul, northern Kyrgyzstan, from 7-17 June 2015.
Some 20 young diplomats from Central Asian countries, Afghanistan and Mongolia have gathered to discuss current diplomatic challenges with a focus on long-lasting solutions.
“If diplomats across borders would communicate regularly, understanding each other’s concerns, addressing them before they become challenges for entire nations and regions, the world would be a better place”, said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “We believe that this can be achieved through continuous networking initiatives such as this summer school.”
Ambassador Kapinos encouraged summer school participants to establish new professional links with colleagues from other countries, since they are the next generation of decision makers in the foreign policy of this region. He also stressed that the OSCE considers female engagement in establishing and maintaining diplomatic relations as one of the priorities. “During the seminar, the participants will have an opportunity to discuss different concerns within the OSCE region and hopefully understand better the challenges each country faces,” said Kapinos.
The participants will conduct country presentations and discuss regional security challenges, cross-border co-operation, conflict prevention and crisis management.
The UN Resident Coordinator Alexander Avanessov, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Liaison Officer/ Central Asia Head of Office Alexander Vinnikov, Ambassadors of Uzbekistan Komil Rashidov, Turkmenistan Batyr Niyazliev and the Consul General of Mongolia in Kyrgyzstan Batsengel Enh-Amgalan attended the opening.
The event was co-funded by the United Nations Development Programme in Kyrgyzstan and North Atlantic Treaty Organization office in Central Asia.