Security Council lauds UN preventive diplomacy work in Central Asia

The Security Council today expressed its appreciation of efforts by the United Nations regional centre for preventive diplomacy in Central Asia to support countries there to respond to regional challenges, including the situation in Kyrgyzstan, and to find solutions for water and energy management issues through cooperation.

The Council also welcomed the work of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) in supporting the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

“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 Council said in a press statement read out by Ambassador Ivan Barbalic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which holds the Council’s presidency for January.

The statement followed a briefing to the Council by Miroslav Jenca, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UNRCCA, which is based in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

The Council encouraged further cooperation and coordination between governments in Central Asia, the Regional Centre, and relevant regional organizations.