The Concept of the Chairmanship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in 2020-2022
1. Introduction
The idea of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev, to convene the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), first announced at the 47th session of the UN General Assembly on October 5, 1992, initiated the formation of a new format of cooperation in an area of confidence building and ensuring security in the Asian region.
Since its formation, five summits and five ministerial meetings have been held, at which the basic principles of activities and fundamental statutory documents of the CICA were adopted.
The main objective of the Forum was to create favorable conditions for discussing pressing issues and challenges in area of security between Asian states through an open and constructive dialogue based on the principles of international law and the unacceptability of power politics, differences in economic development, racial, ethnic and religious affiliation.
Over the 28 years of its existence, the Forum has become a dialogue platform for an honest exchange of views on problematic issues of international politics, and has contributed to the strengthening of mutual understanding between the participating members.
The increase in the number of CICA members to 27 states, along with eight countries and five organizations with observer status, demonstrates the relevance of this platform. At the same time, today's realities require the development of new priorities and more effective mechanisms of cooperation between the CICA member states.
2. Priorities of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the CICA
Kazakhstan, relying on the positive experience of the previous
Chairs - Turkey, China and Tajikistan, plans to intensify the work on further advancement of the CICA process.
Kazakhstan's chairmanship will be based on the principles of openness, impartiality and carried out in accordance with the norms of international law.
In the context of globalization, the world is becoming more interconnected and interdependent. As a result, today's challenges are becoming universal. The decline in the efficiency of global governance institutions, primarily the UN, and the erosion of international law continues.
The system of strategic stability and control over nuclear weapons is being dismantled, accompanied by an arms race and the development of new systems and types of weapons.
Terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking are becoming increasingly transnational in nature, mastering modern technologies and new spheres of influence.
Changes in global economic architecture are worrying. Trade, investment and technological protectionism is replacing multilateral cooperation within the framework of global platforms. The effectiveness of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is decreasing, the attractiveness of regional and bilateral alliances is increasing.
Cybercrime and incitement to hatred have become a major component of information warfare aimed at manipulating public consciousness, failing life support systems and national security.
The spread of Covid-19 has shown that the outbreak of epidemic diseases and pandemics around the world can pose an extreme biological threat not only to human survival, but also to national, regional and global economies and security.
Problems of ensuring food, energy, water and environmental security remain urgent. Illegal and uncontrolled migration is on the rise.
In these conditions, only active collective interaction and an open dialogue of civilizations can determine the right decisions that ensure stability and sustainable development of all nations.
In this regard, Kazakhstan proposes the following theme for its chairmanship: Partnership for Security and Development in Asia.
2.1. Consistent promotion of the institutional development of the CICA
In the context of these challenges and threats, the initiative to create an Organization for Security and Development in Asia (OSDA) on the basis of the CICA is particularly relevant. This idea was put forward by First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev during the 4th Meeting of CICA Foreign Ministers (September 12, 2012) and subsequently announced by him at the CICA Shanghai Summit (May 21, 2014).
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during the 5th CICA Summit in Dushanbe stressed that "to increase the efficiency and international competitiveness of the Forum, it is necessary to gradually transform it into a full-fledged regional organization.”
The CICA’s transformation into such an organization will expand its capabilities to strengthen cooperation between the member states, cover the entire Asian space with a system of deep mutual trust and mutual assistance, as well as increase the status and influence of the Forum in the international arena.
The implementation of such new measures as the creation of the CICA Fund, which was reflected in the Declaration of the Dushanbe Summit, the establishment of the CICA Council of Eminent Persons, and the transformation of the CICA Analytical Centers Forum into a permanent platform, will help to increase the effectiveness of the Conference and its authority at the global level.
In addition, it is advisable to update the creation of a full-fledged institution of the CICA Troika consisting of representatives of the current, future and previous chairpersons of the Conference, as well as the establishment of the Club of Ambassadors of the CICA member states in Nur-Sultan with its subsequent transformation into the Council of Permanent Representatives.
These measures will contribute to the further institutionalization of the Forum and will improve the efficiency of interaction between the CICA member states.
2.2. CICA in international context
CICA will remain committed to the Charter of the United Nations and its legally binding documents. In the context of the changing situation in Asia, CICA will keep pace with the global processes and the key points of the UN agenda, including the 2030 Agenda with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Decade of Action for the implementation of the SDGs.
CICA will also participate in UN efforts to ensure equality and empowerment of women and youth, as well as other vulnerable groups, in order to strive for inclusive development and the “leave no one behind” principle.
CICA will be committed to mitigating climate change and the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Thus, regional measures taken by the CICA member states will contribute to international efforts in this area.
It is vital to implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, promoted by the Code of Conduct towards Achieving a World Free of Terrorism. No less crucial are the new “Sustaining Peace” Agenda of the UN Secretary General A. Guterres, the Development System Reform, the Disarmament Agenda and the Peacekeeping Reform, which will be of great importance for the CICA region.
2.3. Practical implementation of the CICA Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures
Kazakhstan's chairmanship will focus in particular on the implementation of the Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures, which is a fundamental tool for promoting the goals and objectives of the CICA.
If necessary and upon agreement with the Member States, new confidence-building measures can be introduced depending on changes in the international agenda. Therefore, taking into account the latest trends, it is proposed to consider the development of cooperation in the field of epidemiological security, public health, pharmaceuticals, digitalization, as well as expand humanitarian and social interaction in the CICA format.
At the same time, confidence-building measures should be implemented in accordance with the existing dimensions of the CICA, includingeconomic, military-political, human and environmental, as well as the fight against new challenges and threats.
It seems important to intensify the activities of the coordinators and co-coordinators of confidence-building measures in the context of the Forum's activities. To this end, it is necessary to update the existing concepts and action plans for each measure of confidence in close cooperation with the relevant UN entities, agencies and departments of the UN Secretariat. This will enhance the authority and role of the CICA in strengthening peace and security in Asia.
Furthermore, it is necessary to introduce a practice of regular meetings of representatives of business, non-governmental, women's and youth organizations in the framework of the Business and Youth Councils, non-governmental and business forums of the CICA. This will contribute to further deepening cooperation between the CICA member states. In addition, the ongoing activities should be aimed at enhancing the authority and role of CICA in strengthening peace and security in Asia.
2.4. Expansion of external relations
Kazakhstan, as Chair, will continue to strengthen the dialogue with international and regional organizations and forums in accordance with the Guidelines for CICA’s External Relations of 2007.
CICA was conferred observer status by the United Nations General Assembly at its 62nd session. In order to develop relations with other organizations, CICA signed a Memorandums of Understanding with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Kazakhstan will prioritize the development of a three-level and multidimensional dialogue within the Three D initiative proposed by Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2019.
In the upcoming biennium, developing the concept of a new global architecture of relations between world powers, regional actors and organizations, which is so necessary in the current geopolitical reality, will continue. At the same time, attention will be focused on the Eurasian subcontinent, where CICA and the OSCE could closely cooperate to agree on their mandates and objectives.
In addition to cooperation with the UN, it is important for CICA to develop cooperation with such organizations as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Turkic Council, Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), League of Arab States (LAS), etc.
Cooperation with these international organizations will further expand joint efforts to enhance security and sustainable development in Eurasia. Despite the fact that these organizations and forums pursue individual regional and political agendas, they operate within the UN principles, as does the CICA.
Kazakhstan's chairmanship at CICA coincides with the chairmanship at the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, and, therefore, the latter countries, which are also members of CICA, will additionally benefit from their membership.
2.5. Capacity building of the CICA Secretariat
It is important to further strengthen the role of the CICA Secretariat, firstlyby consolidating its human resources and financial stability.
The Secretariat shall carry out the effective work to provide administrative, organizational and technical support for the CICA activities. Special attention will be given to strengthening the work of the Secretariat on implementing the agreements reached within the framework of the meetings of SWG, CSO, CFM, and the Summits.
In addition, Kazakhstan is planning to initiate the introduction of amendments to the Regulations on the CICA Secretariat in order to elevate the Executive Director of the CICA Secretariat to Secretary General of CICA, transform the positions of members of professional personnel into advisers on political, economic, cultural and humanitarian issues, as well as ensure representation of all sub-regions of Asia among the professional and technical staff of the Secretariat.
2.6. Improving the legal framework
Kazakhstan’s chairmanship will be focused on the further development of the CICA legal framework in order to establish effective institutions and mechanisms in the field of ensuring comprehensive, equal and indivisible security of Asia.
3. Conclusion
Further institutional development of CICA requires careful thought and discussion by all member states, while taking into account existing global and regional challenges and threats.
As the CICA Chair, Kazakhstan will be open to dialogue on all issues concerning the activities of the Forum, as well as to discussing proposals and ideas of the member states on the further development of CICA.
Kazakhstan is guided by the notion that an effective security architecture in Asia can be established only through joint efforts. In this regard, we welcome the active participation of all member states in advancing the CICA process. We hope that these measures will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of CICA as a truly multilateral organization within the extended international community.
Our firm resolve must be aimed at effectively addressing current crises and challenges together for the sake of peace, progress and prosperity in Asia.