Ferghana, Uzbekistan – The Youth Peacebuilding Initiative for the Development of Cross-Border Cooperation has kicked off in Ferghana, bringing together over 30 young participants from the border regions of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The project aims to strengthen dialogue, trust, and practical cooperation in the Ferghana Valley. It is implemented within the framework of the Ferghana Peace Process, which is based on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border agreement, the trilateral agreement and declaration adopted in Khujand, and the launch of the Ferghana Peace Forum under the motto “Ferghana Valley: Uniting Efforts for Peace and Progress.”
The initiative is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan and the Youth Affairs Agency, in partnership with the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, and the OSCE Mediation Support Team.
Additional support is provided by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Geneva, the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation (CMI), and PeaceNexus. Participants include representatives of state agencies from border areas, activists from youth organizations and civil society, and young leaders from Batken and Osh regions of Kyrgyzstan, Sughd region of Tajikistan, and Ferghana, Andijan, and Namangan regions of Uzbekistan. They are joined by graduates of the UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy.
Over four days, participants will engage in dialogue sessions, interactive exercises, and group work focused on youth and women's participation in public life, responsible communication, climate and environmental security, interconnectedness, and cross-border cooperation. The program will conclude with concrete proposals for the Ferghana Peace Process to enhance the role of young people in regional development.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia and Head of UNRCCA Kaha Imnadze emphasized that youth participation is crucial for maintaining positive dynamics in the region. “Young people should not remain mere observers of the Ferghana Peace Process – they must participate in shaping its practical agenda,” he noted.
Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Promoting Dialogue and Strengthening Confidence, Ambassador Serge Rumin, highlighted the importance of good neighborly relations. “Dialogue is not just conversation. It is a willingness to listen, understand different perspectives, and work together even when we do not agree on everything,” he said.
OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, Ambassador Antti Karttunen, also stressed the significance of youth contributions. “Young people play a crucial role in building trust and developing cross-border cooperation,” he stated.
The initiative is expected to add substance to the Ferghana Peace Process through the development of practical recommendations.
Source: podrobno.uz