High-level inter-regional conference concludes in Mongolia

AKIPRESS.COM - Efforts that promote tolerance, inclusion, inter-faith and inter-cultural understanding must be critical components of any strategy to prevent and counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT), said speakers at the opening of a high-level inter-regional conference in Ulaanbaatar, the OSCE reports. The conference, which focuses on a ‘whole-of-society' approach to P/CVERLT, brought together some 150 policymakers, civil society and other relevant actors from across Asia and beyond in an inter-regional dialogue. An emphasis of the conference was the important role of youth in promoting peace and security, an imperative underscored by the recent OSCE Ministerial Council Declaration 3/18.
The conference is organized by the Government of Mongolia in collaboration with the OSCE Secretariat's Transnational Threats Department and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), with the aim of promoting the development and implementation of effective, human rights-compliant and gender-sensitive strategies and policies to P/CVERLT.
"Inclusiveness is crucial to the effective implementation of any effort in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. This cannot be achieved by a single country. The threat is global and the response needs to be global. All States should be aware of an emerging tendency to target and drag nationals of smaller developing countries into drug-trafficking that leads to financing terrorism and money laundering," said Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Damdin Tsogtbaatar.
The conference contributes to Mongolia's efforts to promote social cohesion and intercultural, interfaith dialogue in the context of P/CVERLT in the Asian and Transatlantic regions. Over the course of the two-day event, participants will explore the role of youth and local communities, and exchange good practices and lessons learned during the implementation of relevant national action plans.
"Strengthening co-operative actions to prevent and counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism creates grounds for more prosperity in all regions," said the Director of the General Intelligence Agency and National Counter-Terrorism Coordinative Council of Mongolia, Colonel Dorjpalam Gerel.