On 20 February, the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10) held its fourth Regional Steering Group (RSG) meeting in Turkmenistan to review the ongoing progress and agree on plans for its final implementation year. The meeting took place in Ashgabat, bringing together representatives from the donor, implementing consortium of the programme, and national counterparts directly involved in the project’s implementation in each of five countries of Central Asia.
Beata Pęksa, Ambassador of the European Union to Turkmenistan noted that the role of the Steering Group at the regional level is crucial and carries significant responsibility.
“BOMCA exemplifies the EU’s commitment to working with our Central Asian partners to build a more stable, secure and prosperous region for all. This programme has been one of the main EU programmes fostering regional cooperation, enhancing border security and promoting sustainable development across Central Asia. As we enter the last months of the project, we should capitalise on the great amount of work that has been done in the past years by strengthening institutions, enhancing cross-border connectivity and improving livelihoods for border communities, as well as reaching the strategic results that are expected from us in Central Asia and in Europe” - expressed Beata Pęksa.
BOMCA 10 Project Coordinator General Guntis Pujats emphasised that in four years of its implementation BOMCA 10 has shown positive and tangible results in border areas of Central Asia.
“Since its inception, the BOMCA Programme has worked methodically across its phases to strengthen institutional frameworks, develop trade corridors and enhance border management in Central Asia. The Programme has achieved remarkable results that we can be proud of. Through dedicated efforts, we have successfully supported key initiatives of our beneficiaries. By focusing on their core priorities, we helped foster positive change and growth. During RSG we expect beneficiaries to showcase tangible examples of the positive impact and significant results they’ve experienced during the Programme. These demonstrations will highlight the effectiveness of the initiatives, and the progress made towards their goals. By sharing their success stories, beneficiaries will illustrate how the program has empowered them, addressing their specific challenges and creating lasting change. RSG plays a pivotal role, offering opportunities for self-assessment, strategic planning and fostering transparent dialogue among Central Asian beneficiaries and Programme” - said General Guntis Pujats.
To date, BOMCA 10 has successfully implemented nearly 90% of its planned activities across five countries, focusing on institutional development of border control agencies, enhancement of detection capacities, trade facilitation and cross-border cooperation. As the programme nears finalisation of the ongoing phase, efforts will continue to complete the remaining activities while consolidating achievements and success stories of the lasting impact and sustainability of work towards peace and stability in the region of Central Asia.