Set up in 2007, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) works to help the five governments in the region to increase their capacities to peacefully prevent conflict, facilitate dialogue and respond to cross-border threats and challenges such as terrorism, drug trafficking and environmental degradation, UN News Center reported.

The Centre, which is located in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, is headed by Miroslav Jenca, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, who briefed the Council today in a closed-door meeting on its work over the past six months.

Council members appreciated the work of the Regional Centre to assist Central Asian countries in responding to challenges in the region, particularly in the context of the recent developments in Kyrgyzstan, Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month, said in a statement to the press after the meeting.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had asked Mr. Jenca to continue UN efforts to assist Kyrgyz authorities in ensuring conditions for the peaceful and democratic development of the country in the wake of the violent uprising in April that ousted former president Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

In addition to Kyrgyzstan, the Centre is also tasked with assisting Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in building capacities to peacefully prevent conflict, in facilitating dialogue, and in catalyzing international support behind projects and initiatives.

“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 common concern,” Mr. Churkin added.