New Delhi: The sixth CICA summit was started on Thursday in Astana by Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who emphasized that Asia is on track to rule the 21st century and that the region’s future rests on a strong commitment to fostering intercultural communication.

At the ongoing Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit in Astana he said, “The forecast that the 21st century will be the century of Asia is now a reality. But the future of Asia itself depends on our collective willingness to strengthen dialogue among cultures, traditions and worldviews.”

CICA: A platform to achieve sustainability in international relations

He further said, “This year marks the 30th anniversary of the initiative to convene this conference. Over this period, it has become a platform for multilateral cooperation and international institution of modern diplomacy. A particularly important task that we have is to achieve sustainability in international relations in the face of emerging unprecedented threats. It is critical to give a new impetus to multilateral mechanisms and to return to open dialogue.”

Goals for the next CICA Chairmanship

In addition, the President of Kazakhstan outlined his top goals for the next CICA Chairmanship while highlighting world problems including environmental degradation and climate change.

“First, the economic dimension, Disruptions in global supply chains force us to take a revised look at the formation of efficient transit-transport corridors. The environment is becoming increasingly important. Climate change is leading to natural disasters that became more unpredictable and catastrophic. In 2021, 57 million people in Asia were affected by them”, he said.

Decarbonization of the economy

Describing the decarbonization of the economy as extremely urgent for Asia, Kazakhstan’s President said, “to address this problem, we need investments in unprecedented amounts. In a month, Egypt will host COP27. I propose to hold a High-Level Conference in 2024 in Astana on environmental issues in CICA.”

Tokayev noted that there is a need of a real working mechanism for food security in the CICA space. “Asia produces 2/3 of the world’s agricultural products, but remains vulnerable in this area”, he added.

Collaboration in interests of advancing peace, security, and stability 

A multi-national platform for fostering collaboration in the interests of advancing peace, security, and stability in Asia is the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). It is a conference built on the understanding that stability, peace, and security in Asia and the rest of the globe are closely related.

The Member States, while reiterating their adherence to the UN Charter, are of the opinion that discussion and collaboration may help bring about peace and security in Asia, resulting in a single, unbroken zone of stability where all nations can live in harmony, freedom, and prosperity.

CICA is the biggest inter-governmental forum in Asia

With 27 members, or over half the world’s population, CICA is the biggest regional intergovernmental forum in Asia for fostering collaboration in support of advancing peace, security, and stability in the area.

The delegation from India is being led by Meenakshi Lekhi at the 6th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Astana, Kazakhstan. India has backed CICA’s objectives as one of the organization’s founding members, organising and taking part in a number of CICA activities.

MEA to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of CICA Summit

According to a press statement from the External Affairs Ministry, the Minister will also hold several bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the CICA Summit with senior dignitaries and Ministers from other participating nations, including Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan and India have cordial relations that are supported by shared culture and history. The visit of the MoS coincides with India’s celebration of the 30th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations with both nations. The momentum in India’s bilateral relations with these nations would be further strengthened by the visit.