Chronology of Events

revised on 3 August 2020

UNRCCA (Central Asia)

July 2022

On 28 July, Special Representative and head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Natalia Gherman briefed Council members regarding the UNRCCA’s activities in closed consultations. Gherman apparently updated Council members on the activities of the UNRCCA, including those pertaining to counter-terrorism; the women, peace and security agenda; transboundary water management; and the UNRCCA’s contact with regional organisations. The situation in Afghanistan, the recent bouts of unrest in Uzbekistan and the Gorno-Badakhshan region of Tajikistan, and the anti-government protests that took place in Kazakhstan in January were also discussed.

January 2022

On 27 January, Special Representative and head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Natalia Gherman briefed Council members in closed consultations, apparently updating them on the UNRCCA’s work pertaining to counter-terrorism, women, peace and security agenda, transboundary water management, and the UNRCCA’s contact with regional organisations, among other matters. The situation in Afghanistan and the unrest in Kazakhstan in early January were also discussed during the meeting.

July 2021

On 26 July, Special Representative and head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Natalia Gherman briefed Council members in consultations on UNRCCA’s activities since her last briefing in January. In this regard, she apparently discussed the situation at the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, UNRCCA’s support for transboundary water management projects, and UNRCCA’s activities pertaining to counter-terrorism, among other matters.

January 2021

On 27 January, Special Representative and head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Natalia Gherman briefed Council members in a closed VTC meeting on the UNRCCA’s activities. She updated Council members on the Centre’s activities since her last briefing in July. In this regard, she apparently discussed the Centre’s efforts to empower women and youth in the region, UNRCCA’s support for transboundary water management projects, and its support for the implementation of the UN’s anti-terrorism strategy.

July 2020

On 6 July, Special Representative and head of UNRCCA Natalia Gherman briefed Council members in a closed VTC meeting on the activities of the UNRCCA. She updated them on the activities of the Centre since her last briefing in January, including on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region and on the work of UNRCCA. Her briefing apparently touched upon UNRCCA’s work to promote regional cooperation projects, empower women and youth in the region, and support the implementation of the UN anti-terrorism strategy on a local level.  

January 2020

On 22 January, Council members met in consultations for a briefing on UNRCCA by Special Representative and head of UNRCCA Natalia Gherman. She updated Council members on the activities of UNRCCA since her last briefing in July, addressing issues such as terrorism, foreign terrorist fighters, regional cooperation, transboundary water management, and the role of women and youth in the region.

July 2019

On 2 July, Council members met in consultations for a briefing on UNRCCA by Special Representative and head of UNRCCA Natalia Gherman. She updated Council members on the activities of UNRCCA since her last briefing in January, addressing issues such as terrorism, foreign terrorist fighters, drug trafficking, organised crime, transboundary water management, and the role of youth in the region.

January 2019

On 24 January, Special Representative and head of UNRCCA Natalia Gherman briefed Council members in consultations about areas of focus and concern of the UNRCCA, including counter-terrorism, organised crime, transboundary water management, and youth engagement in the five Central Asian states.

June 2018

On 28 June, Special Representative and head of UNRCCA Natalia Gherman briefed Council members in consultations about the activities of the UNRCCA. At press time, Russia was expected to propose a press statement following the consultations.

January 2018

On 22 January, the Council held consultations on UNRCCA. Special Representative and head of the UNRCCA Natalia Gherman briefed Council members in consultations on key regional issues, including the threat of terrorism and extremism, the impact on the region of the situation in Afghanistan, drug trafficking, transboundary water management, and tensions linked to border-related disputes. On 25 January, Council members issued a press statement on UNRCCA in which they welcomed further cooperation and coordination between UNRCCA, the Central Asian States, and relevant regional organisations, including those organisations of which the Central Asian States are members. This is the first time since January 2015 that Council members were able to agree on a press statement on UNRCCA.

June 2017

On 27 June, Special Representative Petko Draganov briefed Council members in consultations on the work of UNRCCA. He covered a number of key regional issues, including the threat of terrorism and extremism, the impact of the situation in Afghanistan, drug-trafficking, transboundary water management, and tensions linked to border-related disputes. The Secretary-General’s visit to Central Asia from 8-13 June was also discussed.

February 2017

On 2 February, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of UNRCCA, Petko Draganov, briefed Council members in consultations. Russia proposed a press statement but Council members failed to reach agreement, mainly due to continuing differences over whether to add new language relating to UNRCCA’s cooperation with regional organisations. They were, however, able to agree on press elements read by the Council President following the consultations, welcoming Draganov’s briefing, reaffirming the importance of conflict prevention tools, acknowledging the role of UNRCCA and encouraging greater cooperation between states in the region, UNRCCA and relevant regional organisations.

June 2016

On 15 June, Special Representative Petko Draganov briefed Council members in consultations on the work of UNRCCA. In keeping with established Council practice, Russia proposed a press statement to welcome the briefing. Russia withdrew the text, however, after other Council members put forward amendments that it deemed unacceptable relating to the situation in Afghanistan and cooperation with regional organisations. It was the third consecutive time that Council members failed to reach agreement on a press statement on the UNRCCA. The last press statement was issued on 23 January 2015.

February 2016

On 4 February, Special Representative and head of UNRCCA, Petko Draganov, briefed Council members in consultations. Following recent Council practice, Russia proposed a press statement but Council members failed to reach agreement. This was also the case the last time they were briefed by Draganov on 8 September 2015, due to divisions over whether to add new language relating to UNRCCA’s cooperation with regional organisations.

September 2015

On 8 September, Special Representative and head of UNRCCA Petko Draganov briefed Council members in consultations. It was his first briefing since taking office in March. Breaking with recent Council practice, there was no press statement following the meeting. It appeared that some Council members had objected to the initial text proposed by the penholder Russia. 

January 2015

On 21 January, Miroslav Jenča, the Special Representative and head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, briefed Council members in consultations. In a 23 January press statement, Council members highlighted UNRCCA’s role as an early-warning and preventive-diplomacy tool. They also commended UNRCCA for its work relating to border management, counter-terrorism and drug trafficking as well as its role in facilitating the region’s continued engagement on Afghanistan (SC/11751).

June 2014

On 26 June, Miroslav Jenča, the Special Representative and head of UNRCCA, briefed Council members in consultations. In a press statement following the briefing, Council members emphasised the importance of preventive diplomacy and commended UNRCCA’s efforts to assist countries in the region on issues such as transboundary water management, counter-terrorism and drug trafficking (SC/11457).

January 2014

On 21 January, Council members held consultations with Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNRCCA. The Council released a press statement supporting the ongoing work of UNRCCA.

July 2013

On 15 July, Council members received the semi-annual briefing in consultations by Special Representative and head of UNRCCA Miroslav Jenca. Council members issued a press statement reaffirming “the importance of the use of preventive diplomacy and early warning mechanisms by the United Nations to assist in the peaceful settlement of disputes”. They also stressed the importance of regional cooperation between the Central Asian States, UNRCCA and regional organisations.

January 2013

On 29 January, Miroslav Jenča (Slovakia), Special Representative and head of UNRCCA, briefed Council members in informal consultations. In a press statement following the briefing, Council members, while noting the Centre’s fifth anniversary, expressed their appreciation for its work as a preventive diplomacy tool contributing to strengthening peace and stability in the region, fostering good neighbourly relations and cooperation and assisting Central Asian States to respond to domestic and transnational threats to peace and sustainable development of the region. In particular, Council members welcomed the Centre’s role in facilitating the implementation of the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy and facilitating assistance by Central Asian states to normalize the situation in Afghanistan to boost broader stability and development in the region.

August 2012

On 7 August, Council members were briefed in consultations by the Special Representative and head of the UNRCCA. On 8 August, the Council issued a press statement reaffirming the role that preventive diplomacy and early warning mechanisms play in settling disputes peacefully and praised the Centre’s work in Central Asia to strengthen this practice.

December 2011

On 19 December, Council members were briefed in consultations by the Special Representative and head of the UNRCCA. The Council issued a press statement expressing appreciation of the Centre’s implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

July 2011

On 15 July, Council members were briefed in consultations by the Special Representative and head of the UNRCCA. The Council issued a press statement expressing appreciation of the efforts of the Centre as a UN mechanism for preventive diplomacy.

January 2011

On 13 January, Council members were briefed in consultations by the Special Representative and head of the UNRCCA. The Council issued a press statement expressing appreciation for the Centre’s work responding to challenges in the region, in particular Kyrgyzstan.

November 2010

On 1 November, the Secretary-General issued a statement on the 10 October parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, which were assessed by observers as “positive, transparent, and well organized.”

August 2010

On 5 August, the Council issued a press statement welcoming the briefing by the Special Representative and head of the UNRCCA and expressed appreciation for the work of UNRCCA in responding to challenges in the region, in particular Kyrgyzstan.

January 2010

On 14 January, the Council issued a press statement welcoming the briefing by the Special Representative and head of UNRCCA and expressing appreciation of the Centre’s efforts in assisting Central Asian countries in responding to challenges and encouraged further cooperation and coordination between the Centre and regional governments and organisations.

June 2009

On 19 June, the Council issued a press statement welcoming the briefing by the Special Representative and head of UNRCCA and reiterating its support for the Centre.

December 2008

On 10 December, the Special Representative and head of the recently established UNRCCA briefed Council members for the first time. The Council issued a press statement supporting the efforts of the Centre to facilitate dialogue and assist the regional governments on issues of common concern.

May 2008

Miroslav Jenča was appointed as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Asia and head of UNRCCA.

May 2007

The UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) was established and is based in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.

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