The Commission on Human Security (CHS) was launched in 2001, with the support of the government of Japan, as a global initiative, partly in response to the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's call at the Millennium Summit for a higher priority in the new century to promote " the twin goals of freedom from fear and freedom from want". This comes at a time of growing awareness in the international community that collective efforts are needed to reduce significantly human suffering and insecurity where it is most acute and prevalent. The CHS takes as its starting point that Human Security is universal, that it is people centered and that its components are interdependent. The Commission's goal, as is concludes its work in 2003, is to develop a comprehensive framework as well as policy guidelines which incorporate development and humanitarian concerns for the benefit of all interested parties. In doing so, the Commission will study specific situations which may offer valuable insights on Human Security issues and the ways to deal with them.

Proposal

Commissioners have identified Central Asia as a region where a combination of internal and external factors generates situations that are of concern to the international community and deserve to be examined from a Human Security perspective. Central Asia is composed of newly-emerged states, facing the problems experienced by all states in that situation, problems often exacerbated by the weight of geography and history. A long and difficult transition, conflict at the borders, against a background of geopolitical and environmental constraints impact on the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of people's lives generating increasing level of insecurity and vulnerabilities. Threats to the security of people in the region include potential or actual conflict, population displacement, economic deprivation, unemployment, deterioration of basic services, violations of human rights, etc.

The Commission wishes to meet with people of the region to better understand the various elements that constitute these insecurities and look together at possible solutions. To achieve this goal, the CHS proposes to organize a Round Table meeting which will gather participants from the five Central Asian republics to discuss issues of common concern relating to Human Security, with members of the Commission. This exercise should assist the CHS in its effort to make recommendations that are appropriate to the needs and contexts of the region. It should also permit the formulation of policy proposals that could influence actions at the international level.

Venue and Date

The Round Table meeting will take place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on 22-24 April, 2002.

It will be co-hosted by the Turkmen Institute of Democracy and Human Rights and the United Nations Development Programme. It will be organized and funded by the CHS.

Participants

Up to five participants, who represent the various facets of government and civil society, will be invited from each country to attend the Round Table. They will be selected on the basis of their knowledge and involvement in issues and activities relating to Human Development and Human Security, including human rights and gender issues. UN Resident Coordinators will be requested to identify the participants in their respective countries and issue them invitations for the meeting. Participants will be acting in their individual capacity.

The Round Table will also be attended by representatives of institutions and organizations interested and involved in Central Asia such as: United Nations agencies, World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), etc. Several members of the Commission on Human Security will naturally attend the Round Table as well. The total number of participants should be around sixty.

Organizational Issues

Invitations to participants from the region will be issued by the respective UN Resident Coordinators. UNDP offices will arrange travels and tickets. All expenses will be covered by the organizers.

Invitations to participants and institutions from outside the region will be issued by the Commission secretariat in New York. These participants will be expected to cover their own travel expenses.

Information concerning travel, hotel reservations, registration, etc, will be provided along with the invitations. Entry visa issuance is expected to take place at the port of entry on the basis of a list of participants to be provided to Turkmen Immigration officials by UNDP Ashgabat.

Round Table Proceedings

The Commission will provide, in advance of the meeting, a background paper highlighting the various issues of concern to the region in a Human Security perspective. This document will cover the basic items of the agenda. To provide for a meaningful discussion, participants will be requested to streamline their interventions under the economic, social and cultural main elements of the agenda. The possibility to discuss other subjects of particular interest to participants will also be offered.

The discussions of the Round Table will be facilitated by a Mediator to be identified. The meeting will aim at providing the opportunity for a free exchange of views and will be of a non-binding character, being understood that no final declaration or conclusions should be expected.

Commission on Human Security
12 February 2002