- Events
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) organized a study visit from 7 to 12 September 2026 for a high-level delegation from Uzbekistan to Sweden, Belgium and Spain, to facilitate an exchange experience with national stakeholders and European Union (EU) representatives on preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism (PCVE).
The visit was organized through the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility (the Facility), in cooperation with the Global Programme on PCVE, the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, and the Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to the United Nations.
Led by Dr. Muzaffar Kamilov, Adviser to the President on Religious and Educational Affairs and Rector of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan (the Academy), the delegation brought together senior representatives of the Presidential Administration, the State Security Service, and the Committee on Religious Affairs. The delegation presented Uzbekistan’s overall approach to PCVE, national priorities and plans for the establishment of a specialized PCVE Centre within the Academy.
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“These exchanges allowed us to share Uzbekistan’s approach and lessons learned in preventing violent extremism, discuss common challenges and good practices, and build connections with European institutions. The experience gained will help us further develop the specialized PCVE Centre, taking account of our national priorities and context.”
Exchanges in Sweden on support to local authorities
In Stockholm, the delegation met with the Swedish Center for Preventing Violent Extremism (CVE Centre) to discuss national prevention approaches and support to local authorities and frontline practitioners. Exchanges addressed institutional mandates, legal frameworks and human rights, coordination, training, and strategic communications.
The delegation from Uzbekistan shared its national experience and expressed interest in further cooperation with Sweden’s CVE Centre. Discussions also covered engagement with municipal authorities and minority communities, including Sweden’s on-demand support for municipal stakeholders with PCVE responsibilities, as well as its experience in repatriating and reintegrating women and children from camps in north-eastern Syria.
Meetings in Brussels with Belgian and European Union officials
In Brussels, the delegation met with representatives of the European Union External Action Service, the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, the Directorate-General for International Partnerships, and the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan. Discussions focused on Uzbekistan’s PCVE priorities and the proposed mandate of the future PCVE Centre under the Academy, contributing to exchanges ahead of the EU–Central Asia Dialogue on Counter-Terrorism to be held on 8 October 2026.
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“Exchanging experience helps us better understand our respective approaches and identify practical opportunities for further strategic cooperation in Central Asia. Through the EU–UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility, the EU supports nationally owned counter-terrorism and PCVE efforts grounded in human rights and the rule of law.”
The delegation also visited Belgium’s Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (CUTA). Discussions examined how threat analysis and information-sharing can support coordinated prevention involving security services, local authorities, and social-prevention actors, with attention to institutional responsibilities and safeguards. CUTA’s engagement with local authorities prompted exchanges on Uzbekistan’s mahalla system and the role of community-level structures in prevention, while recognizing differences between national contexts.
Discussing the links between research and practice in Spain
In Granada, Spain, the delegation from Uzbekistan exchanged experiences with the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies (FUNDEA) regarding research, education, community engagement, and the protection of religious freedom.
Discussions explored links between academic research and practical prevention, alongside opportunities for researcher exchanges and institutional cooperation. The Academy and FUNDEA agreed to hold a follow-up session on religious freedom.
EU-UN support to Uzbekistan PCVE efforts
The study visit forms part of a support package for Uzbekistan implemented by UNOCT through the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility and the Global Programme on PCVE at the request of the Government of Uzbekistan. Alongside support for conceptualizing a prospective national PCVE Centre, the package focuses on strengthening the Academy’s capacities in strategic. This support is made possible through the financial contribution of the European Union for the Facility as a strategic joint EU-UN initiative.