This came after the 15-member body heard a closed-door briefing from the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Miroslav Jenca, on the recent activities of the Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, located in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat.

The Council “encouraged further cooperation and coordination between the Regional Centre and the Governments of the region and relevant regional organizations,” in a statement read to the press by Ambassador Zhang Yesui of China, which holds the rotating presidency for January.

The members of the Council also reaffirmed their support for the Centre’s efforts to facilitate dialogue and assist regional governments on issues of common concern.

Established in 2007, the Centre helps the countries of the region – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – better respond to cross-border challenges and threats, such as terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime and environmental degradation.