On 5 March 2026, the Regional Conference “Education for Peace and Security” was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, marking the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness. The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mission in the Kyrgyz Republic and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.
The conference brought together representatives of Central Asian countries, as well as international organizations, the academic and expert community, the diplomatic corps, and youth initiatives.
Distinguished representatives of leading international and expert organizations delivered presentations, including the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD), the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey), the Center for Policy Research at the University at Albany, the Women in Nuclear Central Asia (WINCA) network, and others. Representatives of government authorities, as well as academic and expert communities from Central Asia, also actively contributed to the discussions.
Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Asein Isaev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, along with representatives of international organizations, including the ICRC and the OSCE. A video message was delivered by Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.
The conference programme featured thematic sessions focusing on the role of education in promoting peace and security, youth and innovation, as well as regional and global cooperation. Particular attention was given to sharing the experience of Central Asian countries, including the functioning of the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.
Representatives of the Center for Nonproliferation and Export Control actively participated in the conference and, within the framework of their volunteer engagement, provided comprehensive support to the organizers, contributing to the successful conduct of the event.
Mr. Taalaibek Bektashev, Director of the Center and national expert in export control and nonproliferation, moderated the first panel session, “Education as a Tool for Peace and Security,” facilitating a substantive and dynamic discussion with distinguished speakers.
A symbolic highlight of the conference was the “Alley of Peace” initiative, during which participants took part in a tree-planting ceremony, demonstrating their shared commitment to sustainable peace and cooperation.
Special attention was given to youth engagement. As part of the session “Youth and Innovation,” video projects prepared by university students from the Kyrgyz Republic on disarmament and non-proliferation topics were presented. These works resonated strongly with participants, received high recognition, and were awarded commemorative prizes.
The Center for Nonproliferation and Export Control plans to publish selected video projects on its official social media platforms, including Instagram, to further promote awareness and educational outreach.
As a key outcome of the conference — which became a landmark and large-scale regional event — participants adopted the final document, the “Bishkek Appeal,” outlining key recommendations for advancing educational initiatives and strengthening regional cooperation in the fields of peace, security, disarmament, and non-proliferation.
It should be recalled that 5 March, the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, was established by the United Nations General Assembly on 7 December 2022 at the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic. This initiative aims to raise awareness of the importance of arms control for global security and sustainable development.
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