Distinguished Chair,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to participate in Dushanbe Water Process, the Third High-level International Conference on International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” and address such a representative audience.
I am privileged to represent the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, in short CICA, a multilateral platform dedicated to promoting peace, security and cooperation across Asia. CICA unites 28 Member States, encompassing nearly 90 percent of Asia and representing half of the global population. CICA’s broad agenda and diverse membership promote unity and harmony positioning the organization as a significant player in key global decision-making processes.
As a multilateral platform, CICA provides equal opportunities for its members, regardless of their diverse political, economic and socio-cultural backgrounds, to exchange ideas, share knowledge, best practices and collaborate on beneficial initiatives across five broad dimensions: military-political, economic, human, environmental and new challenges and threats. The CICA Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures focuses on 18 priority areas, each with its own coordinating countries. Furthermore, we are committed to effectively achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributing to the development of Asia.
Dear participants,
Water is at the heart of sustainable development. It is essential for human survival, economic prosperity and environmental health. Despite its critical importance, millions of people around the world still lack access to clean water and adequate sanitation. This scarcity not only affects individual health but also hampers economic development and social stability. CICA recognizes the pivotal role of water in sustainable development and has been actively involved in fostering collaboration and dialogue among its Member States on water-related issues.
The CICA Member States are also actively addressing various challenges related to environmental sustainability, green transformation, regional environmental issues, sustainable development and disaster risk reduction. These efforts are coordinated under the CICA environmental dimension, with a focus on three priority areas such as sustainable development, environment protection and natural disaster management.
For example, Bangladesh, as the co-coordinator country of environment protection and natural disaster management, is actively involved in organizing events, such as the "CICA Workshop on Ecosystem Restoration in the Context of Climate and Other Vulnerability" held in 2023, which highlighted the region's vulnerability to environmental challenges. Thailand, as the coordinator country for the sustainable development priority area, organized an "International Training Course on Sustainable Waste Management in a Circular Economy" as part of its initiatives in 2022. Through these collaborative efforts, CICA Member States are working to combat environmental threats and promote sustainable development in the region by sharing best practices.
On the margins of the 80th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) on 24 April 2024, CICA hosted a landmark side-event titled “Leveraging Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific – Role of Regional Partnerships.” The event, jointly organized by the CICA and UNESCAP Secretariats at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, brought together experts from diverse sectors to discuss pivotal issues such as environmental challenges, digital economy promotion, emergency and fostering regional cooperation.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In 2022, CICA held its Sixth Summit, which decided to launch CICA’s transformation into a full-fledged regional international organization.
At this Summit, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev put forward several initiatives to further strengthen cooperation in the discussed domain such as the High-level Environmental Conference in Astana. This event will be held on 28 August 2024 at the ministerial level.
The CICA Ministerial Conference on Environmental Issues is crucial for addressing pressing regional environmental challenges, particularly water issues. Many Member States face water scarcity, pollution and inadequate access to clean water, all worsened by climate change. For instance, the severe flooding in Kazakhstan in 2024 displaced nearly 117,000 people, highlighting the need for sustainable water management. The Conference emphasizes CICA's commitment to promoting sustainable development, protecting vulnerable communities and enhancing resilience against climate-induced extreme weather events.
Discussions and recommendations from such gatherings are valuable for policies promoting sustainable water use and conservation. Most importantly, these environmental platforms contribute to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, highlighting the vital role of water in achieving other SDGs.
I would like to underline that on the margins of COP-29 in Baku, CICA will host a side event focusing on sustainable connectivity, transportation and the environment. This event aims to explore the interplay between these critical areas and discuss innovative strategies for promoting environmental sustainability within transportation networks.
In conclusion, joint efforts are vital for addressing water challenges. As a multilateral platform, CICA is committed to supporting Member States in developing innovative solutions to ensure water remains a source of life and prosperity. Water issues should be catalysts for unity and peace, not conflict.
Thank you.
10-13 June 2024, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
