CICA CATALOGUE OF CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES (CBMs)

Adopted by the decision of

the CICA Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting

 

CICA CATALOGUE

OF CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES (CBMs)

The Member States of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA),

With the aim of enhancing cooperation, creating and strengthening an atmosphere of peace, confidence and friendship on the Asian continent,

Acting in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, Almaty Act and other CICA documents as well as universally recognized norms and principles of international law,

Taking into account specific situations and peculiarities of different regions of Asia,

Have adopted the following principles and measures, leading to strengthening of confidence on the Asian continent and have agreed to their realization in practice on bilateral and/or multilateral basis.

 

1. General provisions.

1.1 The Member States recognize that the confidence building measures, on the one hand, peaceful settlement of disputes and implementation of agreements on arms control and disarmament, on the other, are complementary and may, depending upon specific situations, be pursued simultaneously by the concerned States through mutual consent.

1.2 The diversity in Asia underscores the importance of measures in military-political dimension as well as in economic, environmental and human dimensions.

1.3 The CICA CBMs will be applied on a gradual and voluntary basis. The CICA Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures and measures identified in it are recommendatory in nature. Any Member State may select certain measures identified in this Catalogue for implementation, where feasible and appropriate. Measures selected by the Member States should be pursued in good faith and to the full extent possible.  

• Confidence building measures of the Catalogue are without prejudice to other CBMs, security agreements and/or arrangements on arms control and disarmament, to which the Member States are parties, and these measures will not affect the rights and obligations under these agreements and/or arrangements.
• Nothing in this Catalogue prevents the Member States from adopting other confidence building measures among themselves or with other states.

1.6 The Member States concerned may exchange information within the context of CBMs agreed upon by them. They may also consider submitting this information to the CICA Secretariat for further dissemination.

1.7 The Member State receiving information under the provisions of this Catalogue cannot disclose, publish or transfer it to any third party without the consent of the Member States providing such information.

1.8 The Member States will regularly review implementation of this Catalogue in order to identify the most effective and suitable CBMs for wider implementation in the CICA region and, when necessary, modify or amend those CBMs by consensus. 

 

 

 

 

2. Confidence building measures in military-political dimension

In order to ensure lasting stability, strengthen mutual confidence in military-political dimension, while taking into account their legitimate security interests, the Member States may undertake the following measures: 

2.1 Exchange of information, the scope, feasibility and modalities of which will be agreed by the Member States concerned, in accordance with their national laws and regulations, on the following:

1. a) components of armed forces;
2. b) defense budgets;
3. c) presence of foreign military contingents on the territories of the Member States, if release of this information is permitted by the country deploying such a contingent.
4. d) notification of planned military activities, including exercises with participation of foreign military contingents, where modalities and parameters of such notification are agreed upon by the Member States concerned.

2.2 Inviting observers from Member States to military exercises.

2.3 Considering mechanisms such as consultation on unexpected and hazardous incidents of a military nature, especially if such incidents occur in close proximity to the border areas of the Member States.

2.4 Developing the following forms of cooperation between their armed forces:

1. mutual visits by the military authorities and representatives of defense colleges;
2. mutual invitations for participation in national holidays, cultural and sport events;
3. information exchange on CV’s of top military personnel;
4. other forms of cooperation as agreed by the Member States.

2.5 Exchange of information on the status of their accession to or ratification of multilateral instruments on arms control and disarmament as well as conventions on the outer space. 

 

3. Fight against new challenges and threats

3.1 The Member States will, in accordance with their national legislation, take cooperative measures in curbing terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and in preventing activities of separatist and extremist organizations, with the aim of promoting security and stability of each Member State.

3.2 The Member States will exchange information concerning fight against terrorist, separatist, extremist activities and organized criminal groups and when necessary, develop mechanisms to combat their activities. For this purpose, the Members States may also exchange information on their national authorities in law enforcement sphere and assist in establishing and strengthening contacts between these authorities.

3.3 The Member States may take measures to strengthen cooperation in sharing information in order to deal effectively with proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

3.4 The Member States will exchange information on the measures they have taken to curb drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, trans-boundary organized crime, illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, including Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) as well as smuggling of explosives and poisonous materials.

3.5 The Member States will exchange information on the status of their accession to or ratification of the relevant international legal instruments on terrorism and organized crime as well as the steps they have taken to promote fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and organized crime in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

 

4. Confidence building measures in economic, environmental and human dimensions

   In order to promote and strengthen mutual confidence in economic, environmental and human dimensions the Member States may adopt the following measures in accordance with their national laws and regulations: 

4.1 Establishment of a common database and a system of data exchange in trade and economic spheres.

4.2 Development and application of common programs on environment protection, especially in border areas, without prejudice to their rights and obligations under relevant bilateral and multilateral instruments.

4.3 Exchange of information on natural and industrial disasters on their territories which in their view may affect their neighbors.

4.4 Exchange of information on their national authorities responsible for development of international tourism and tourist infrastructure and assistance in establishing and strengthening contacts between these authorities.

4.5 Exchange of information regarding suspicious financial transactions, illegal financial operations and assistance in establishing and strengthening contacts between appropriate authorities.

4.6 Exchange of information on their national authorities responsible for disaster management, search-rescue operations with a view to facilitating the establishment and strengthening of contacts between these authorities. Where necessary, the Member States will identify a coordination body, authorized to organize interaction of disaster management and rescue services, and creation of a system of assistance in case of natural disasters and emergency situations.

4.7 Elaboration and implementation of joint projects, aimed at disseminating information on culture and traditions of their peoples, promoting mutual respect and good-neighborly relations between peoples.

   4.8 Promotion of contacts between their scientific and educational institutions and non-governmental organizations, including scientific exchanges, exchange of students, joint events with the purpose of, inter alia, elaborating proposals and projects for the achievement of CICA objectives.

4.9 Promotion of dialogue among civilizations, including dialogue among religions.

 

 

Almaty, October 22, 2004