On 23-25 September 2025 UNRCCA participated in the UNODC-organized Cross-Regional Workshop for Central and Middle Eastern countries on “Strengthening Cooperation to Prevent and Counter Terrorism and Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs).” The workshop convened representatives from the judicial and security sectors of Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Yemen, providing a vital platform to exchange experiences, share best practices, and strengthen regional and international cooperation mechanisms to counter terrorism, including the challenges posed by FTFs and returnee cases.
During the opening session, UNRCCA briefed participants on its ongoing efforts to advance the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia. Since 2011, UNRCCA has supported the adoption of the Joint Plan of Action (JPoA), culminating in the adoption of a renewed JPoA in 2022. The briefing highlighted the unique nature of this regional instrument, reflecting the unity and solidarity of Central Asian countries in addressing common threats and challenges to regional peace and security. UNRCCA emphasized that the JPoA serves as a strategic framework guiding the collective efforts of regional and international partners, and stressed that the experiences of Central Asian States provide valuable lessons for other regions in preventing and countering terrorism.
Participants also recognized the extensive experience of Central Asian countries in the repatriation, reintegration, rehabilitation, and prosecution of their citizens from conflict zones. They highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing and the exchange of good practices facilitated through the UNRCCA–UNOCT regional platform, which continues to play a pivotal role in fostering cooperation, strengthening institutional capacities, and enhancing joint efforts in the field of counter-terrorism.
