Statements and Remarks of CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay

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Remarks of the Executive Director of CICA Secretariat, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay at the meeting of the CICA Foreign Ministers on September 24, 2020.


Statement by
H.E. Mr. Kairat Sarybay
the Executive Director of CICA Secretariat
at the Special Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Interaction
and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA)
24 September 2020
in the format of videoconference

Mr. Chair,
Honorable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am deeply honored by the confidence all the Member States of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) have placed in me as I take up my new post.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all of you for strong support and to assure you that my knowledge and experience will be serving to honor your trust and fulfill the tasks set by the Heads of State and Government when they established our unique multilateral platform stretching from Ural and Mediterranean to Indo-Pacific.

I would also like to thank my predecessor, Mr.Mirzozoda, for his contribution to the CICA process over the past two years, as well as I acknowledge all previous distinguished Executive Directors of the CICA Secretariat.

Mr. Chair,

Since its inception, almost thirty years ago, the CICA family has grown significantly, embracing members who share common values of peace, trust, cooperation, respect for human rights and prosperity of nations which are at the heart of this Organization.

Successful implementation of a broad range of confidence-building measures in five principle dimensions has proven the viability of the CICA project. Progress may have been slow at times but we do move forward owing to good will of all the twenty-seven Member States.

As the saying goes, the road will be mastered by the walking one.

In this regard, I would like to pay tribute to the First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who astutely initiated the CICA process back in 1992. He has always been convinced that demand-driven pan-Asian cooperation will contribute to regional, continental and global security.

Mr. Chair,

The Almaty Act, confirming our adherence to the UN Charter, provides a clear and long-term strategy for our cooperation and keeps us committed to international law.

The Catalog of Confidence Building Measures is an essential tool and universal approach to ensure stability and security across the CICA space. 

I take up the call of Kazakh Chairmanship to evolve CICA into a stronger organization with efficient functionality and high-visibility. The voice of CICA, as a pan-Asian actor uniting 27 states, can and should contribute to strengthening global security and development.    

On the eve of CICA’s thirtieth anniversary it is the right moment to start working towards that end, and the Secretariat is ready to provide its utmost support to the Member States.

Mr. Chair,

I wish to highlight four areas where we all could step up our efforts to make our Organization stronger and more efficient.  

First. The strength of CICA is in a dialogue, the commitment to seek comprehensive, co-operative and coordinated solutions. To this end I hope Member States will refrain from blocking the initiatives that do not carry a political burden be it in health, environment or youth policy and education.

I would also like to take a fresh look at how we could increase the usefulness of the CICA by engaging the Ambassadors accredited in Nur-Sultan and other capitals into the process of informal consultations before delegating issues to headquarters.

Second. There is room for further strengthening ownership of the Organization by all its Member States and I encourage to further enhance diversity and inclusiveness in the Secretariat's workforce. I would warmly welcome the presence of West Asian and South East Asian States and any other Member States who are willing to contribute to our efficiency.

Third.   I call on all the CICA Member States to immediately start working on the Plan for 2021 in order to have a clear perspective for the coming year.

I believe we can significantly improve performance of our Organization moving along a simple path: “Concept Paper – Road Map – Implementation”, and making best use of the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound) principles of Project management.

COVID-19 pandemic continues to shake the world. However, this challenge should not stop us and should not allow the CICA platform to freeze. We must adapt ourselves and master the relevant techniques of digital interaction.

Fourth. I am confident, that CICA is well prepared to respond to contemporary challenges as well as support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Strengthening and leveraging partnership of the CICA with UN and its institutions and other international and regional organizations will be in my focus.

Mr. Chair,
Honorable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am committed to a collaborative and synergistic approach in working with the Chairmanship and all Member States. I will be fully accountable to you for the results of my endeavors. It is our shared responsibility to enable the CICA to make full use of its mission. To that end I am counting on your commitment and engagement and I look forward to working with you.

I thank you.

FOR CICA MEMBER STATES

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