To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the short and medium term priorities of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventative Diplomacy in central Asia; what resources it needs to meet those priorities; and whether it has the ability to meet its priorities. [HL343]

The Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for central Asia, Ambassador Jenca, outlined the centre's priorities in a meeting with my honourable friend the Minister for Europe on 26 November 2009. These are water and energy management; drug trafficking, terrorism and organised crime; and Afghanistan. We believe that the centre is equipped to take forward work on these issues. The resources allocated to the centre are a matter for the UN 5th Committee.