The GPPAC process in Central Asia is coordinated by Regional Secretariat FTI Foundation for Tolerance International. For more information on GPPAC in the region, contact:

Mr. Bektur Sakiev

GPPAC regional liaison officer

Foundation for Tolerance International
Bishkek Head Office
264, Manaschy Sagynbaya St., App. 27
720010 Kyrgyz Republic
Bishkek
Tel.: +996 (312) 64-46-58, 64-43-60
Fax: +996 (312) 64-44-63
E-mail: fti@fti.kg; bektur@gmail.com

Read more about GPPAC in Central Asia in the Central Asia Bulletin, either in English or in Russian.

The GPPAC regional process in Central Asia started in 2003 and included a preparatory process with working groups and meetings at the local, national and regional levels, to establish a Regional Action Agenda and Regional Work Plan. The regional process has provided a unique opportunity to bring together civil society actors from the various Central Asian states, helping them to overcome the regional fragmentation that has characterized Central Asia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. It also succeeded in bringing together members of the civil society, state structures and international organizations, to share during a conference their views on regional conflict issues, conflict prevention and the role of civil society.

GPPAC is greatly contributing to conflict prevention efforts in Central Asia by providing a platform to discuss sensitive and complex issues among civil society and between civil society and government and by helping to overcome the bridges that take place in Central Asia between the various stakeholders. Network building through GPPAC is also contributing to giving more weight to the voice of local NGOs and making possible the advocacy of their issues at the regional and global levels. It is helping Central Asian civil society to break its isolation, build relations with civil society actors from other parts of the world and get access to new skills and knowledge in the field of conflict prevention.

Among the main priorities of the Central Asian network are to establish greater cooperation between civil society and governmental structures; break the taboo taking place in Central Asia over conflict issues; build the capacity of civil society and state actors in conflict prevention; and enhance and promote regional cooperation, critical to the establishment of sustainable peace in Central Asia. To effectively implement the Regional Work Plan and achieve these goals, building additional capacity in the structure and internal organization of the Central Asian network has been identified as a key priority.