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Addressing inequality, exclusion, discrimination crucial to stemming terrorism, extremism in Central Asia - UN chief

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
NEW YORK, Jan 20 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres late Friday that addressing inequality, exclusion, and discrimination in Central Asia and Afghanistan is crucial to stemming terrorism and extremism.
Guterres made the comments at a UN Security Council meeting on partnership in the region, commending Central Asian nations for boosting security and development cooperation with Afghanistan.
The meeting was convened by Kazakhstan, which currently holds the rotating Security Council presidency.
"During my visit to Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan last June, I was encouraged to see new bilateral and regional connections and better regional dynamics," Guterres said, according to a transcript released by his office.
Sustainable development helps prevent and end conflict and sustain peace, in Afghanistan, Central Asia and around the world, he noted.
Guterres added that while "sustainable development is a fundamental end in itself," such development should be "inclusive." "Only by addressing the root causes of crisis, including inequality, exclusion, and discrimination, will we build peaceful societies resilient to terrorism and violent extremism," he said.
International rights groups have accused Western nations of failing to sufficiently confront rights abuses by Central Asian governments for strategic purposes related to energy and security. (end) asf.hb