Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Joint Action Plan is a unique example of regional cooperation given by the states of Central Asia. This point of view was expressed by the Deputy Secretary-General - Head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov at the High-Level International Conference on the topic: "Regional cooperation of the countries of Central Asia in the framework of the Joint Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy”, taking place on 3-4 March in Tashkent.

Voronkov noted that the Joint Action Plan for the Implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy became the first regional document that further inspired other regions to take such a step.

According to the Russian diplomat, ten years after its adoption, the time has come to take stock and analyze the main achievements, learn the lessons learned along the way, and chart the course for the implementation of the updated Plan.

In his speech, V.Voronkov stressed that the Tashkent conference is extremely timely, since in the current situation in Afghanistan, where Al-Qaeda remains uncontrolled, and Daesh has almost doubled in size, coordinated regional actions are required.

In this context, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations noted that the Joint Action Plan is the very mechanism through which the region can strengthen the comprehensive multilateral cooperation necessary in such circumstances.

As the UN Deputy Secretary General noted, "we must redouble our joint efforts to prevent terrorism, as Central Asia is facing new threats and challenges in this area."

According to the Russian diplomat, military counterterrorism operations may be a necessity, but they are paid for with irreparable loss of life and are very costly.

In this regard, investments in the prevention of terrorism are much more effective, since they include the elimination of conditions conducive to terrorism and the suppression of terrorist efforts to radicalize and recruit new members into their ranks, - summed up V. Voronkov.

As V.Voronkov noted, "humanity, kindness and solidarity characterize the people and communities of Central Asia." "These traits serve as a vaccine against violence, and I hope that this spirit will continue," the Russian diplomat stressed.

According to the head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, "this conference is an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the countries of Central Asia to continue regional cooperation within the framework of the updated Joint Action Plan."

The current conference, which received the universal support of international partners, became the practical implementation of the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, put forward at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, and made a significant contribution to consolidating the efforts of the countries of the region and the world community in the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy ( UNGCCC) in Central Asia.

The conference in Tashkent, organized in a hybrid format with some participants online, brought together more than 600 high-ranking officials and leading experts from national and foreign think tanks. It is assumed that the final documents of the international meeting will be the Tashkent Declaration and an updated version of the Joint Action Plan, in which the countries of Central Asia will reaffirm their commitment to the joint fight against terrorism, which poses a serious threat to international peace and security, and define specific tasks for the near future.