The challenges associated with the effective prevention of and response to violent extremism, as well as incitement and recruitment of individuals, including foreign terrorist fighters, have led to increased international attention to these issues. They have also underscored the need for countries to develop and implement more comprehensive, preventive strategies and approaches to counter these threats.
In this context, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in cooperation with the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, established the Network on the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE Network) for experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The PVE Network adopts a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach, promoting collaboration among government institutions, civil society organizations and groups, academia, international experts, and UNODC. Its objective is to strengthen the region’s resilience to the threats of violent extremism and enhance regional cooperation.
The PVE Network for Central Asian countries serves as a comprehensive platform for stakeholders to exchange research, materials, and information in order to assess and address the drivers of radicalization, as well as to better understand existing approaches and good practices for preventing crimes related to radicalization, incitement, and the recruitment of individuals for terrorist purposes. In addition, the Network seeks to raise awareness of, and promote consideration of, the important roles of women, youth, and victims of terrorism in preventing violent extremism. As part of the Network initiative, UNODC has organized a series of activities, including workshops, to foster dialogue and cooperation aimed at strengthening the region’s capacity to address the threats of terrorism and violent extremism while upholding the principles of the rule of law and human rights.
This initiative was made possible through the generous support of the Government of Japan.