The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kazakhstan observed the 22nd CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia) Day recently.
Addressing government officials, heads diplomatic missions, international organizations, public figures and media, Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov described CICA as one of Asia's leading and unique forums in Asia that has united 26 states, and has a further seven states and four international organizations as observers.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to CICA Member States for their support and efforts over the past 20 years in promoting the ideals of the CICA in Asia and in the world.
Lauding China's taking over as the new Chair of CICA, Foreign Minister Idrissov said Kazakhstan supports China's initiatives for developing and adopting a new Asia security concept based on common, comprehensive, and sustainable regional security.
"The need for a strong regional security structure has never been more apparent. Today, we witness sweeping changes in the existing world order. Our world is becoming less secure. New challenges and threats are emerging. The principles of international law are being violated," he said.
He specifically made references to the deadly outbreak of Ebola across West Africa, which has killed thousands of people and caused devastation; the ISIL and Al Qaeda, which are murdering innocent civilians and causing a huge flow of refugees from Syria and Iraq; the persistent failure of the Palestinian - Israel peace process and the fragile truce in Ukraine.
Striking a positive note, however, Foreign Minister Idrissov said, "Each crisis encourages the international community to work together to overcome them. To use the regional and global security apparatus in place to confront challenges. And each challenge brings the CICA member states closer together. We don't hide from the challenges or recoil at the scale of the problems. Instead the CICA has a history of stepping up our cooperation and developing practical solutions."
He cited the example of member states adopting the CICA Declaration on Eliminating Terrorism and Promoting Dialogue among Civilizations and CICA signing a Memorandum of Understanding with SCO.
The increased cooperation notwithstanding, he said there are still many traditional and non-traditional security challenges that threaten regional peace and stability.
"The political situation in Afghanistan is one of them. While we hail the presidential election in Afghanistan, which are an important step toward a peaceful transfer of power in the country, the security challenges remain a concern. Signing a long delayed bilateral security agreement between Afghanistan and the United States gives us a hope that the new government will improve security situation in the country," he said.
"Kazakhstan supports efforts of the international community to hold political talks on ending bloodshed in Syria. We call for all the sides of conflict in Ukraine to stabilize the political situation through peaceful and direct dialogue," he added.
"CICA is a forum based on the recognition of the close links between peace, security and stability in Asia and the rest of the world. We believe that peace and security in Asia can be achieved through dialogue and cooperation. We have set out practical ways to achieve this under five themes: military-political, economic, environmental, human and the fight against new threat and challenges," Foreign Minister Idrissov said.
He said that Kazakhstan proposes to increase the frequency of contacts between member states on different levels by establishing a decision-making body in Astana where regular meetings can take place.
"We need to boost the executive function of the Secretariat by creating a support unit. We want to create institutions and bodies focusing on specific topics within the framework the CICA. We believe these steps toward strengthening the role of the CICA in the Asian region could bring mutual benefits for all member states, he said.
He also called on member states to focus on ways to expand economic cooperation in Asia.
"Today, Asia is home to 67 per cent of the world's population and accounts for one third of the global economy. Six Asian countries are members of the Group of 20 leading economies in the world," Foreign Minister Idrissov said.
He said economic development of the region determines global trends, and therefore, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev's proposal for a G-Global initiative based on five principals, has relevance, and could form the basis of the world economy's future development.
He said the CICA will take on more responsibility and will strengthen its institutions.
"Only by working together, with true equality and partnership ... can we achieve peace and security for all - a peace which is free from fear and violence and meets the needs of future generations," he concluded.
