New dean of diplomatic corps

Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atajan N. Movlamov was elected dean of the diplomatic corps at an event held at the Serena Hotel a few days ago. He will take over the post from Tajik Ambassador Sherali Jononov, who was the acting dean for a few months after Bakhitbek Shabarbayev, who was the ambassador of Kazakhstan in Pakistan, was transferred to another country.

Typically, the longest serving envoy of a country takes on the mostly honorary and ceremonial duties of dean of the diplomatic corps, with some coordination and spokesperson functions as well. Other diplomats consider the deanship to be prestigious, and the envoy’s home country is certainly proud of the title.

Turkmenistan celebrated 25 years of diplomatic relations with Pakistan last year, and Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality.

As a Central Asian country, Turkmenistan cooperates closely with its neighbours, including Russia and other countries in the region and beyond. For the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, it cooperates with Afghanistan and India. Well over a year ago, Turkmenistan also hosted the Global Transport Conference, and in 2017 it hosted the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games.

Ambassador Movlamov and his wife say they have enjoyed living in Pakistan. “We have many friends in the in the local and international community here,” said Mr Movlamov.

UNODC holds meeting for envoys

Cesar Guedes, a representative from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, welcomed envoys from Central Asian countries to a closed information meeting at the Serena Hotel last week.

The meeting was pleasant and informative, and included breakfast and small talk before the presentations, questions and comments.

Mr Guedes was assisted by Danilo Campisi, the regional coordinator for Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

UNODC’s work includes assistance to member countries related to drug production and smuggling, border crime, corruption, human trafficking through transnational networks, and other issues. Focus is given to crime prevention, such as seeking alternative livelihoods to poppy cultivation, cooperation in law enforcement and sharing of information on new forms of crime, including such related to synthetic narcotics and cyber crime.

The meeting was informed that there was progress in the member countries’ efforts. As a UN organization, UNODC draws on its knowledge from work worldwide, especially in Asia, the Americas and Europe.

Although UNODC’s work is of growing importance, it experiences funding shortages. Yet, major support continues to be received from the European Union and other donors. Japan’s support is also increasing markedly, the meeting was informed.

India Republic Day celebrated

Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria welcomed guests to a celebration of the Indian Republic Day – marked on Jan 26 – at the Serena Hotel.

The chief guest at the event was Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, minister of state for capital development and administration.

Although there were no speeches, the ceremony featured a musical performance by Shafqat Amanat Ali accompanied by another Pakistani vocalist.

Mr Ali has also had success in India with rock music, classical and Sufi music records. The large number of guests from all walks of life, including foreign diplomats, members of civil society and the business community, seemed to enjoy the music and the rest of the event.

“High Commissioner Bisaria is known for deepening India’s cultural footprints in the countries where he serves,” said a Pakistani writer who attended the event.

He mentioned that Mr Bisaria’s wife, Bharati Chaturvedi, is an environmentalist and writer, and a founder of the NGO Chintan.

“Indian Republic Day is always celebrated with fanfare,” said another guest. “However, the unresolved Kashmir issue, and also some other issues, cast shadows over the day,” he added.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2018