UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday reaffirmed their support to the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) to facilitate regional dialogue among the governments of Central Asia in responding to cross-border challenges.

    This was contained in a statement read to reporters here by Chinese UN Ambassador Zhang Yesui, who holds the council's rotating presidency for January.

    "The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their support to the efforts of the regional center to facilitate dialogue and assist the governments of Central Asia on regional issues of common concern," the press statement said.

    "The members of the Security Council appreciated the efforts of the regional center to assist Central Asia countries in responding to challenges in the region, in accordance with its mandate, and encouraged further cooperation and coordination between the regional center and the governments of the region and relevant regional organizations in this regard," the statement said.

    Earlier, the Security Council met behind closed doors to hear the briefing by Miroslav Jenca, who is the special representative of the UN secretary-general on the work of UNRCCA from the last six months.

    UNRCCA was established by the UN in 2007 to help Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in their regional responses to combat challenges and threats, such as terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime and environmental degradation.

    On Wednesday, the UN Security Council held an open debate to enhance cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in maintaining international peace and security.

    In a presidential statement, the council promised further steps to promote closer cooperation with regional and sub-regional organizations in such area spots -- early warning, prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.