Representatives of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in capacity of Observer to United Nations General Assembly took part at the 76th Session of the UNGA in New York. Strong message of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to “restore trust, inspire hope and reignite multilateralism” at the opening of the General Debate correlates the CICA vision and activities. This and other important issues were discussed by CICA Executive Director Ambassador Kairat Sarybay at bilateral meetings on the margins of the UNGA76 high-level week on 20-22 September 2021.
CICA Executive Director updated interlocutors on main objectives of the CICA Chairmanship of Kazakhstan for the CICA Ministerial Meeting in 2021 and CICA Summit in 2022, highlighting the need to take systemic actions and move CICA process forward, including through transforming it into an international organization. Mr.Sarybay used also this opportunity to discuss specific events within the implementation of CICA confidence building measures.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani expressed Bahrain’s full support for CICA activities and suggested to look at perspectives of synergy in health and climate within Bahrain’s upcoming Presidency at Asian Cooperation Dialogue.
Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Hon. Prof. Gamini Lakshman Peiris underlined that cultural diversity of CICA Member States is a strength of the forum and encouraged to focus on common challenges that CICA Member States are facing currently. In this context, Minister emphasized CICA’s vital role in ensuring security and promoting cooperation in Asia.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Mr. Sultan bin Saad Almuraikhi expressed Qatar’s commitment to the CICA process and noted that forum today meets expectations and needs of its Member States.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey Mr. Sedat Önal expressed Turkey’s strong position to support priorities of Kazakhstan CICA Chairmanship, including gradual transformation of CICA into full-fledged international organization for regional security.
CICA Executive Director held wide range discussions with Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office Mr. Vladimir Voronkov on CICA and UNOCT cooperation perspectives, including CICA Action Plan for Implementation of UN Global Counter-Terrorism strategy.
Ambassador Sarybay attended a special tribute ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
