Security Council Press Statement on United Nations Regional Centre

 

for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Vitaly Churkin (Russian Federation):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the briefing by Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, on the work of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia over the past six months.

The members of the Security Council appreciated the efforts of the Regional Centre as a United Nations mechanism for preventive diplomacy to assist Central Asian countries in responding, in accordance with its mandate and through regional cooperation, to challenges to peace and sustainable development of the region.

The members of the Security Council commended the specific focus in the Centre’s activities on the impact of transboundary threats facing the region, implications of national developments on regional stability and the management of common resources and environmental degradation, and the benefits of increased counter-terrorism cooperation.  In this regard, they appreciated the successful facilitation by the Regional Centre of the implementation in Central Asia of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

The members of the Security Council acknowledged the Regional Centre’s assistance during the recent presidential elections which have led to inauguration of a new president in Kyrgyzstan, which concluded the process of peaceful and democratic political transition in that country.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the role of the Regional Centre in facilitating the assistance by Central Asian States to normalizing the situation in Afghanistan and fostering broader regional integration and cooperation as a tool to boost stability and sustainable development in the region.

The members of the Security Council further supported the efforts of the Regional Centre to promote dialogue on the management of common natural resources in Central Asia and to create conditions for durable solutions through enhanced cooperation, taking into consideration the interests of all States in the region.  They encouraged continued cooperation and coordination between the Governments of the region, the Regional Centre and relevant regional organizations in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to provide appropriate support to the efforts of the Regional Centre to facilitate dialogue and assist the Governments of Central Asia on regional issues of their common concern.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that actions undertaken in the framework of conflict prevention by the United Nations should support and complement, as appropriate, the conflict prevention roles of national Governments, as well as create conditions conducive to lasting peace and sustainable development.

The members of the Security Council recognized the growing interest in preventive diplomacy as a promising and cost-effective tool in the peaceful settlement of disputes, and therefore welcomed the role of the Regional Centre, including through mediation and good offices, in identifying and working towards the resolution of crisis situations and developing regional cooperation.

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For information media • not an official record