EEC side event
Regional partnerships in support of the SDGs: the case of the EAEU and other initiatives in Eurasia
(15 July, New York)
Excellencies,
Esteemed Colleagues,
It is my pleasure to participate in this side event, addressing such a distinguished audience. I extend my gratitude to the Eurasian Economic Union for organizing this side event.
I am honored to represent the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which provides a multilateral platform for ensuring peace, and security in Asia. CICA brings together 28 Member States and 10 Observes States across Asia, covering almost 90 percent of Asia's territory and comprising half of the world’s population.
In 2022, the main political event marking the 30th anniversary was the Sixth CICA Summit on October 12-13 in Astana. During the Summit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the CICA Secretariat and the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The EAEU became the sixth Partner Organization of CICA, and areas of interaction between the two associations were identified, including regional economic integration, transportation, and digitalization. For the implementation of the Memorandum, the respective Action Plan was developed to promote development of comprehensive cooperation between both organizations for the benefit of our Member States. Hopefully, we will be able to sign the Action Plan in coming months and bring tangible benefits for our region.
CICA has functioning institutions and has developed many forms of practical interaction. Our catalogue of confidence-building measures focuses on 18 priority areas under five broad dimensions: military-political, economic, environmental, human, and new threats and challenges. These dimensions serve as pillars supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For example, the most dynamic, the economic dimension focuses on enhancing trade, investment, infrastructure, tourism, and information technology, mainly supporting economic growth and poverty eradication. I would like to acknowledge, that EEC has made remarkable strides in economic integration, facilitating trade and investment among its Member States. CICA, with its broad membership encompassing countries from different parts of Asia, can leverage these achievements to expand economic opportunities across the continent.
New challenges and threats dimension addresses emerging global issues such as terrorism, conflicts, and cybersecurity, which intersect with multiple SDGs. Environmental dimension addresses various ecological challenges contributing to environmental sustainability goals outlined in SDGs 13, 14, and 15. The human dimension protects human rights and promotes social development, supporting SDGs related to health, education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities. Lastly, the military-political dimension cultivates an environment of trust and stability crucial for sustainable development initiatives, aligning with SDG 16 on peace and justice.
During the Sixth CICA Summit, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev put forward several initiatives to further strengthen cooperation and proposed the establishment of the CICA Council on Sustainable Connectivity to address contemporary challenges in the global economy, including supply chain disruptions. This ambitious initiative aims to enhance transit and transport potential across CICA Member States, spanning vast geographic regions. The collaboration between CICA and the EAEU can accelerate the development of transport corridors, logistics hubs, and digital infrastructure. Improved economic connectivity will not only facilitate trade but also enhance people-to-people connectivity, for instance access to education, healthcare, and other essential services, thereby improving the quality of life for millions.
Additionally, the Kazakh Chairmanship initiated the High-level Environmental Conference in Astana on 28 August 2024, showcasing CICA's commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.
Esteemed colleagues,
I strongly believe, that a wide range of economic challenges and opportunities, global and regional threats and challenges, as well as Sustainable Development Goals indicate the need for closer interaction and interconnectivity.
By leveraging our respective strengths, CICA and EAEU can significantly contribute to regional stability, economic growth, and sustainable development while complementing the UN's global initiatives.
Thank you very much.
