At the inauguration ceremony of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said that since their independence 16 years ago, all five Central Asian nations have made great achievements in cementing independence and sovereignty, developing their national economies and broadening exchanges with other countries.

The five nations -- Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- are playing a more and more important role in the international arena, he added.

However, Berdymukhamedov said, the region is still vulnerable to drug trafficking, organized crime, religious extremism and terrorism.

The establishment of the UNRCCA will effectively prevent regional crises and conflicts, and promote the five nations’ cooperation in such fields as politics, the economy, communications, the utilization of water resources and humanities, he said.

Berdymukhamedov said the establishment of the preventive diplomacy center also demonstrates the international community’s strong will to safeguard peace, security and stability in the region.

He expressed his hopes that the international community would strengthen cooperation with Central Asian nations on the basis of equality, mutual benefits and the principle of noninterference in each other’s internal affairs.

UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe, on behalf of the world body, thanked the five nations’ governments for their support for the inauguration of the center, which she said will benefit the Central Asian people and facilitate prosperity and stability in the region.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui attended the ceremony and extended his congratulations for the UNRCCA’s establishment at the start of a two-day conference on international cooperation in preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution.

Preventive diplomacy is of great significance in safeguarding and boosting peace and security in Central Asia and the world as a whole, Li said, adding that he hoped the center would contribute to the harmonious development of the region.

Senior delegations from more than 50 countries and international organizations attended the ceremony.

According to a UN statement last Friday, UNRCCA, which aims to assist regional governments in working together to tackle common challenges, is to be headed by a senior representative of UN chief Ban Ki-moon.