Security Council Press Statement on United Nations Regional Centre

for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Zeid Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein ( Jordan):

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

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the importance of the use of preventive diplomacy and early warning mechanisms by the United Nations to assist in the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, and in this context, acknowledged the role of UNRCCA in assisting Central Asian countries, in accordance with its mandate and through regional cooperation, to respond to domestic and transnational threats to peace and in supporting the sustainable development of the region.

The members of the Security Council stressed the need for further cooperation and coordination between the Central Asian States, UNRCCA and regional organizations to strengthen the region’s capacity to overcome challenges to peace, stability and sustainable development in Central Asia through the mechanisms of preventive diplomacy and dialogue.

In this regard, the members of the Security Council welcomed initiatives by UNRCCA to assist the Central Asian States in finding a comprehensive solution to the management of transboundary water resources, taking into account the interests of all riparian States.  They took note of ongoing discussions, facilitated by UNRCCA, on a regional legal framework for transboundary water management based on mutually acceptable principles, and encouraged all Central Asian States to play a full and active role in the process.

The members of the Security Council welcomed UNRCCA’s specific focus on supporting the cooperation among the Central Asian States in the area of counter-terrorism and religious extremism, and encouraged the realization of the Joint Plan of Action agreed upon for implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in the region.  They welcomed the launch of the second phase of the joint UNRCCA and CTITF (Counter-terrorism Implementation Task Force) project aimed at implementing the Joint Plan of Action under the Strategy that includes a number of regional activities designed to enhance capacity-building and information sharing.

The members of the Security Council recognize the threat posed by illicit drug production, trade and trafficking to international peace and stability in the region.  Members emphasized the importance of close coordination between Afghanistan and its neighbours, in particular the Central Asian States, in combating drug trafficking.  They commended UNRCCA’s efforts, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and relevant regional organizations, to help the Central Asian States address this problem.

The members of the Security Council acknowledged the impact of the situation in Afghanistan on the Central Asian Statesand commended the role of UNRCCA, in cooperation with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in facilitating the engagement of the Central Asian States to contribute to international efforts in reconstruction and stabilization of Afghanistan.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the close interaction of UNRCCA with United Nations country teams, as well as the Peacebuilding Fund and relevant regional organizations in the area of conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

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For information media • not an official record