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 Vitaly Churkin ( Russian Federation):

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 five months.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the importance of preventive diplomacy and early-warning mechanisms for United Nations efforts 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 the Central Asian States, in accordance with its mandate and through enhanced regional cooperation, to respond to domestic and transnational threats to peace and in supporting the sustainable development in the region.

The members of the Security Council commended the efforts of UNRCCA to identify possible practical steps that the Centre and UN agencies may take within their respective mandates, including under the auspices of the recently developed cross-border peacebuilding programme designed to reduce the immediate risk of violent conflicts and create a conducive environment for sustainable peace and development in border areas.

The members of the Security Council also welcomed initiatives by UNRCCA to assist the Central Asian States in finding a comprehensive, mutually acceptable solution to the management of trans-boundary water resources.  In this regard, they took note of the publication by the World Bank on 17 June of its draft assessments on the proposed Roghun hydropower project in Tajikistan, and encouraged States in the region to engage constructively in consultations to reach agreement on how to meet the energy and resource challenges faced by all in the region.  They also noted the ongoing discussions, facilitated by UNRCCA, on a proposed modernization of the regional legal framework for trans-boundary water management, and encouraged the Central Asian States to play a full and active role in the process in order to find a durable solution which will serve long-term stability in the region.

The members of the Security Council welcomed UNRCCA’s specific focus on supporting the cooperation among the Central Asian States in the areas of counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism and radicalization, with a view to implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in the region, which includes a number of regional activities designed to enhance capacity-building and information sharing.

The members of the Security Council underlined the threat posed by illicit drug production, trade and trafficking to international peace and stability in the region.  In this regard they 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 and relevant regional organizations, to help the Central Asian States address this problem.

The members of the Security Council acknowledged the continuing impact of the situation in Afghanistan on the Central Asian States, and 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 encouraged increased cooperation and coordination between the Central Asian States, UNRCCA and relevant regional organizations to strengthen the region’s capacity to overcome challenges to peace, stability and sustainable development through preventive diplomacy and dialogue.  They welcomed the close interaction of UNRCCA with United Nations country teams, as well as the Peacebuilding Fund, in the areas of conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record