Bishkek Conference on prevention and countering of terrorism formally opened

BISHKEK, 13 December 2001 - Some 300 participants and observers coming from over 60 states and international organizations have gathered in the Kyrygz capital, Bishkek, for an international conference on the prevention and countering of terrorism. The conference, which was organized at the invitation of the Kyrgyz authorities by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (ODCCP), takes place today and tomorrow, 13 and 14 December.

The conference was opened by Askar Akaev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Jan Kubis, the OSCE Secretary General, and Mohammad Amirkhizi, Senior Policy Adviser of the Executive Director of UN ODCCP. The opening will be followed by discussion sessions, focusing on the exchange of past experiences and practices, on the strengthening of bilateral and regional efforts to counter terrorism and related crimes, on enhancing comprehensive preventive measures, on related social and economic aspects, and on the identification of gaps and needs in the prevention and countering of terrorism.

Key speakers during the two days of the conference will include:

• Rolf Ekeus, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities: "International Terrorism and Violent Extremism as Global Challenges";
• Gerard Stoudmann, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights: "Can We Protect Human Rights While Combating Terrorism?";
• Dr. Michael S. Lund, subject matter expert: "Enhancing Preventive Measures: Strategies and Institutions";
• Jakob Simonsen, Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States at the United Nations Development Programme: "Improving Social and Economic Prospects".

The Bishkek International Conference on Enhancing Security and Stability in Central Asia: Strengthening Comprehensive Efforts to Counter Terrorism directly follows the Ninth OSCE Ministerial Council meeting held in Bucharest ten days ago, where the Organization's 55 participating States adopted a broad-reaching document on combating terrorism. It is the first opportunity to discuss concrete steps to prevent and counter terrorism, especially with regard to providing practical support to Central Asian participating States. It is expected that the participants will endorse a Programme of Action in the course of the conference proceedings.