The Diplomat: Central Asian States Step Up Afghan Diplomacy

Challenges in any of the landlocked Central Asian nations impact overall regional security. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are taking steps for regional diplomacy and reduced isolation for Afghanistan. Regional discussions on water management, energy cooperation, transportation links and trade are underway; representatives express concern about terrorism and women’s rights. “Kazakhstan, the first Central Asian state to win a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, prioritized Afghanistan on the Council’s January agenda,” explains Catherine Putz for the Diplomat. She explains that a Kabul Process meeting in February aims to trigger negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban; the five Central Asian nations plus the United States, C5+1, will also meet. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres notes, “With greater regional cooperation and investment, Central Asia and Afghanistan have the potential to become symbols of dialogue, peace, and the promotion of contacts between cultures, religions and civilizations.” – YaleGlobal