4 February 2004: The launching ceremony of the Russian language version of the Commission's report Human Security Now was organized and hosted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at its center in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Ambassador Paraschiva Badescu of OSCE Ashgabat explained the dynamics of human security and commented on the necessity for the implementation of the concepts of the report. "Human security, in its broader sense, is the essence of peace and stability," she said.

Mr. François Fouinat, former Executive Secretary of the Advisory Board on Human Security (ABHS), participated in the launching ceremony and provided a chapter-by-chapter explanation of the Report, clarifying the basic concept of human security.

Ms. Ruven Menikdiwela, head of the liaison office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ashgabat, in representation of the UN, underlined the connection between refugee situations and human security. "The absence of human security is what compels refugees to flee their countries of origin and seek asylum elsewhere, in the first place," she said.

The meeting was attended by a cross section of local participants, representatives from various embassies, international organizations and the media. The Russian version of the report was translated, edited and printed by the OSCE. 

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