PRESS RELEASE : The United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to a stable, secure and prosperous Central Asia – UK statement at the General Assembly [May 2023]

Thank you, President, and thank you to Turkmenistan for initiating today’s important discussion.

Let me start by highlighting the United Kingdom’s continued support for a stable, secure, and prosperous Central Asia, as envisaged by resolution 76/299.

We are firm advocates of the UN’s work in support of this goal, including through the Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCA).

Given the security challenges the region faces, cooperation and mutual support between the five Central Asian republics and their global partners is ever more critical – whether due to the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, or the economic uncertainty caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

We encourage the Central Asian republics to continue to work with the UN Peacebuilding Commission and UN Peacebuilding Fund, which offer important tools for managing and preventing regional conflicts.

Political stability, long-lasting reform, and sustainable economic development are necessary for Central Asian states to fulfil their potential. The UK is strengthening trade links with all five Central Asian states, and continues to work closely with the region – bilaterally and through our regional programming – to support long-term reform and stability.

Today’s debate also rightfully covers the environmental challenges that Central Asia faces. Temperatures in the region are expected to rise faster than the global average. This is already affecting water patterns and driving water scarcity and food insecurity.

It is crucial that we find sustainable solutions to these challenges. We welcome the success of the recent UN Water Conference, co-hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands, as an example of how the UN can support. I hope that, together, we can do more in this area.

Thank you.