This year, declared by the UN as the International Year of Peace and Trust on the initiative of Turkmenistan, every day is filled with practical content in the interests of wellbeing, progress and development throughout the world. Women are an important social force that is increasingly manifesting itself at the national, regional and international levels. Among the significant practical steps to support women in achieving broader influence on decision-making processes on issues related to peace, security, stability and sustainable development was the Central Asian forum entitled “The Role of Women in Strengthening Peace, Trust and Security” held in the videoconference format on March 16. The event was initiated by the Government of Turkmenistan and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). At the request of the NT correspondent Irina Imamkuliyeva, the results of the forum were commented on by the Ambassador, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat Natalya DROZD.

“First of all, let me express my sincere gratitude to the highly respected President and Government of Turkmenistan for supporting our initiative and ensuring a high level of the organisation of the event. It was a representative conference in every sense of the word. More than 100 representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, including experts from government agencies, academic circles, civil society and the private sector, took part in its work.