Special OSCE Asian Partners meeting discusses regional consequences of developments in Afghanistan

VIENNA, 3 June 2022 – Following discussions held at the Stockholm Ministerial Council, participants at today’s special OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group discussion looked into several aspects of a framework for response to the implications of Afghanistan for the OSCE region. The meeting was convened by the Swedish Chair of the Group. The meeting particularly highlighted gender-related aspects of the regional consequences of developments in Afghanistan, and how the situation in Afghanistan has affected young women and men in Central Asia.

"Just as Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the situation in Afghanistan is having vast consequences for the OSCE region. I would like to thank the Secretary-General and the Secretariat for their excellent work in developing the Framework for an OSCE response, focusing on Central Asia and particularly addressing gender-related aspects”, said Ambassador Ulrika Funered, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the OSCE and Chair of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group.

“Today´s topic is timely and remains an issue of great concern to the Polish Chairmanship. While Russia´s aggression against Ukraine has taken up much focus this spring, it is important that we don’t lose the broader OSCE region from our sight”, said Mr. Marcin Czapliński, Deputy Permanent Representative of Poland to the OSCE, Polish 2022 OSCE Chairpersonship. “While discussing the regional consequences of the situation in Afghanistan one should highlight grave security implications for the Central Asian region.“

The Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, Tuula Yrjölä, presented key elements of the Framework for Response to the Implications of Afghanistan for the OSCE Region (RIAOR). “This framework aims to mitigate risks, address vulnerabilities and pursue opportunities to support connectivity and development,” she said. “We will continue to focus on delivering support in Central Asia to bolster the resilience of the region in the context of developments in Afghanistan. I welcome the support of participating States that recognize the wider impact these developments can have.”

The OSCE supports the Asian Partnership in its efforts to further promote common values in the international community and address the new challenges affecting European security and beyond.