Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia to respond to the emerging security challenges and threats emanating from Afghanistan under the overall framework of joint project ¡°Towards a comprehensive implementation of the Â鶹APP Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS) in Central Asia ¨C Phase IV
Other partners: government sector, civil society, academia, regional and international organizations.
A pool of experts was established, and a series of consultations and awareness-raising events were held across Central Asia, each involving over 35 participants per Member State. These efforts culminated in a regional conference in October, gathering law enforcement, strategic institutes, civil society, and government officials to assess Afghanistan-related security dynamics. Discussions included the CT EWN Board of Experts' Terms of Reference and training on threat assessment and risk evaluation.
Further national trainings in November focused on actionable indicators, identifying key threats such as jihadist propaganda, youth radicalization, and drug trafficking. A final regional meeting in December enabled Member States to share national counter-terrorism efforts and research findings on online radicalization and Afghanistan¡¯s regional impact, along with discussions on data analysis and the CT EWN work plan.
Synopsis
Objectives
The project aims to strengthen the capacity of Central Asian states in the development and adoption of effective counter-terrorism strategies and measures to respond to the emerging security challenges and threats emanating from Afghanistan in a strategic, coordinated and human rights compliant and gender responsive manner.
Components
Key components included the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia (CT EWN), creation of a Community of Practice for regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing, formation of a pool of experts, regional consultations and awareness events, a conference to assess regional dynamics, targeted trainings, and a regional meeting to review the CT EWN work plan.
Main achievements
In 2023, the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia (CT EWN) was operationalized to respond to emerging security challenges and threats emanating from Afghanistan. It identified shared threats, intensified cooperation and coordination among law enforcement agencies on Afghanistan-related matters and enabled the development of a Community of Practice at national and regional levels for ongoing collaboration and knowledge-sharing in early warning. Additionally, access to best practices and advanced methodologies was enhanced, and assessments of research on Afghanistan's situation and online propaganda were conducted.
A pool of experts was also established. The project organized a series of consultations and awareness-raising events across Central Asian countries, involving more than 35 participants in each Member State. These events culminated in a regional conference in October, fostering collaboration among representatives from law enforcement, strategic studies institutes, civil society organizations, and government officials. The conference addressed current dynamics in Afghanistan and their impact on Central Asian counter-terrorism efforts. It also included discussions on specific Terms of Reference for the CT EWN Board of Experts and provided a two-day training on threat assessment and risk evaluation.
A subsequent series of national events and training sessions in November focused on developing actionable indicators, resulting in the identification of key threats such as jihadist propaganda on the Internet, youth radicalization, and drug trafficking.
Another regional event was held in December, where Central Asian representatives shared national counter-terrorism efforts. Discussions focused on the situation in Afghanistan as a significant factor for regional stability. Furthermore, research on online propaganda and religious radicalization, launched under the CT EWN, and the impact of the situation in Afghanistan on Central Asian security were presented by the national experts. Participants also discussed data analysis, indicators, and the work plan.
Impact
This project builds a solid network of relevant institutions and experts at both regional and national levels, ensuring sustainability beyond the project¡¯s completion.
