Transport corridors, financial cooperation, environment, food security, and education – these are the five priority areas outlined by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Sixth Summit of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. As for environmental protection, the Head of State proposed holding a high-level conference on environmental issues in Astana in 2024. President Tokayev also pointed out the need to develop a truly effective mechanism to ensure food security in the CICA space.
“Establishing cooperation between CICA and the Islamic Organization for Food Security, headquartered in Astana, seems promising. Given the agricultural potential of our countries, we could take measures to provide the countries in need with food and fertilizer,” the Kazakh President said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for strengthening regional cooperation in his video message to the participants of the Sixth CICA Summit. He noted that at present, trust and solidarity are diminishing, while geopolitical tensions and conflicts are surging.
“We all benefit from a peaceful and prosperous Asia – and I am grateful for our partnership in pursuit of our shared goals. Advancing sustainable development, promoting human rights and stability, and strengthening multilevel cooperation. Together, let us meet the tests of our time and secure a better future for Asia and the world,” Guterres urged.
The Asian continent has been contributing to the progress of civilization for centuries. Today, the region has extensive resources, since over 20 of the 30 largest cities of the world are located here. Most of the US$30 trillion will go to middle class of the Asian countries by 2030. The future of the region depends on the collective commitment to foster dialogue. As Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized, it is time to transform CICA into a full-fledged international organization.
“The CICA Fund will be established today. Its purpose is to set up a special mechanism for selecting CICA projects and raising voluntary funds for them. We have also expanded the number of observers and partners. Turkmenistan joined the CICA as an observer and decisions were taken decided to establish cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union and ASEAN,” Tokayev added.
It became known at the summit that the geography of CICA has expanded. Kuwait became the 28th state to join the organization. In 1999, CICA consisted of only 15 countries.
