NEW YORK -

The following Security Council press statement was issued today, 15 July, by Council President Rosemary DiCarlo (United States):

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 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 the 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 encouraged the realization of the Joint Plan of Action agreed upon for implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in the region.

The members of the Security Council underlined the importance of close coordination among the Central Asian States in combating drug trafficking in Central Asia and commended UNRCCA's efforts, in collaboration with UNODC [United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime], to help them address this problem.

The members of the Security Council commended the role of UNRCCA, in cooperation with UNAMA [United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan], 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 and relevant regional organizations in the area of conflict prevention.