Dear President of the General Assembly,
Distinguished leaders, UN Secretary-General, Esteemed delegates,
It is both privilege and profound responsibility to address this high-level gathering. As we stand at the threshold of unprecedented challenges and opportunities, this Summit represents a moment of introspection for the global community.
Today, I am very excited to speak to you as the Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). The idea to convene CICA was proposed by Kazakhstan from this very rostrum - at the 47th Session of the UN General Assembly on 5 October 1992.
Having been founded on the core principles of multilateralism, dialogue, and trust, CICA unites 28 Member States, covering 90% of Asia, as well as 10 Observer States and 11 Observer and Partner Organizations.
We recognize that confidence building is the bedrock of lasting peace. Through the implementation of the CICA Catalogue of confidence-building measures across five dimensions: human, economic, environmental, new challenges and threats, and military-political, we are fostering dialogue among nations with diverse backgrounds, creating an environment where disagreements can be managed through trust, mutual respect, and most importantly, on an equal footing. Interaction in these dimensions contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Excellencies,
Having reached a mature level of institutional development, CICA has permanent institutions like Youth Council, Business Council, Think Tank Forum to discuss common issues, challenges and ways to address them.
To achieve tangible results, the Sixth Summit in 2022 established a CICA Fund to mobilize funding to implement projects in a wide range of areas.
The Sixth CICA Summit in Astana in October 2022 launched the process of CICA’s transformation into a full-fledged regional pan-Asian international organization, thereby reflecting the growing role of Asia in global affairs.
As we prepare to hand over the Chairmanship from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan this December at the upcoming Ministerial Council in Baku, let me outline the initiatives of President Tokayev of Kazakhstan proposed at the Sixth CICA Summit:
In October 2024 we will organize a Rally of volunteer movement leaders from CICA countries, under the Youth Council at the Ministerial level. Another achievement is the Partnership Network of Leading Universities of CICA Member States, with the Memorandum of Understanding to be adopted in December 2024 at the CICA Ministerial Council meeting in Baku. This initiative will foster scientific exchange, development of research projects and promote academic mobility.
Excellencies,
In response to the UN Secretary-General's request on December 20, 2022, the CICA Secretariat contributed to the New Agenda for Peace, emphasizing the vital role of regional organizations in achieving global goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We shared outcomes from the Sixth CICA Summit, where leaders acknowledged the significant impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on security and emerging challenges. The New Agenda for Peace, presented on July 20, 2023, aligns with our recommendations and highlights the importance of confidence-building mechanisms. These issues are also addressed in the outcome documents of the Summit of the Future.
Esteemed delegates,
Organizations like CICA are crucial in addressing global challenges at the regional level and can serve as valuable outreach platforms for the UN.
This Summit of the Future gives us the opportunity to rethink our structures, reassess our priorities, and strengthen our mechanisms for cooperation. Together, we can build a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future.
Thank you.
22 September 2024, New York
