AKIPRESS.COM - The Fourth International Summer School for Junior Diplomats from Central Asia, Afghanistan and Mongolia, supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, is taking place from June 24 to June 29 in Issyk-Kul, the OSCE said.

The event is organized by the Diplomatic Academy under the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Kyrgyzstan.

The aim of the Summer School is to address global and regional challenges and the role of diplomacy in overcoming these challenges. The discussions are mainly focused on topical issues such as violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism, transnational threats and challenges in Central Asia, migration and human rights, the role and importance of diplomacy and multilateralism during integration processes, peace-building and security, public and digital diplomacy, geo-economic and geo-strategic factors in energy diplomacy and political systems in Central Asia.

Various international experts from the Kyrgyz MFA, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the MFA of the Russian Federation, International Organization for Migration, Diplomatic Institute of the MFA of the State of Qatar, Diplomatic Academies of Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation, are giving lectures and moderating discussions.

The Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Pierre von Arx, will deliver a lecture on the topic "Threats and Challenges to Regional Security in Central Asia", outlining the role of the OSCE in supporting the Central Asian states' efforts.

In his opening remarks the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Nuran Niyazaliev, said: Against the backdrop of current challenges and threats, strengthened co-operation between our states is becoming even more important in order to better counter the common threats and challenges."

The Summer School has become a unique opportunity and platform to share views and propose solutions on how to address contemporary challenges, link states' economies closer, and promote joint efforts for working together in the region and beyond.

Stressing the importance of regional dialogue and co-operation, Head of Office Pierre von Arx said: "Today's event gathered together young diplomats from across Central Asian states, Afghanistan and Mongolia who are the future decision-makers, the movers and shakers of regional and international diplomacy, and the OSCE is glad to support such an important dialogue platform."