Excellencies,
Distinguished colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Friends,
I would like to welcome you and express my gratitude for attending CICA Summer Party today. It becomes a good tradition of CICA to foster interactions between people, countries and international organizations.
Since our last meeting on CICA Day in October last year, many events have taken place, a number of which can rightfully be called historic.
First of all, it is necessary to mention the Sixth CICA Summit here in Astana on October 12-13 last year. The key strategic decision adopted by the Summit was the Astana Statement on Transformation, which launched a structured, inclusive and transparent negotiation process for the gradual, phased and consensus-based transformation of CICA into a full-fledged regional international organization.
Over the course of the current year, we have all made significant progress along this path. At the last Special Working Group meeting, we were able to consolidate a common vision of this process, which now has to be formalized. This could happen, we hope, at an informal meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in New York on September 21, on the sidelines of the high-level week of the UN General Assembly.
Apart from Transformation, CICA is implementing a number of other crucial initiatives, proposed by the CICA Chairmanship and declared by Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev at theCICA Summit.
We are actively working on creation of the CICA Council on Sustainable Connectivity. By fostering cooperation and coordination, the Council will pave the way for a more interconnected and prosperous Asia.
Recognizing the urgent need to address environmental challenges, CICA will hold the High-level Conference on Environmental Issues in CICA Countries in 2024 in Astana.
In the commitment to economic development, President Tokayev proposed transforming the CICA Finance Summit into a permanent platform to contribute to sustainable and inclusive development, andcreate favorable conditions for regional and sub-regional financial cooperation within the framework of the Organization.
Recognizing the power and potential of youth and volunteerism, CICA is set to hold the Rally of the Volunteer Movement Leaders of the CICA Countries in 2024 in Astana under the auspices of the Youth Council. This event will bring together young leaders from Member States to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices in volunteerism and community engagement.
In 2024 CICA will finalize the establishment of a Partnership Network of the Leading Universities of the CICA Member States. This network will facilitate academic exchanges, joint research projects, and collaborative programs among universities across the region.
Among the many planned events for 2023, I would like to highlight the 6th Youth Council, later this year in Uzbekistan; the 11th meeting of the Think Tank Forum in China at the end of August; the CICA Business Council and Business Forum in Almaty in September.
To support ambitious projects and initiatives, CICA has launched the established CICA Fund to provide new opportunities for collective assistance to those countries that are especially in need of such support.
Distinguished guests,
CICA not only focuses on diplomatic and policy-related initiatives but also recognizes the importance of fostering people-to-people connections and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. In line with this vision, CICA Secretariat has organized a ski tour and a bicycle tour. Furthermore, CICA Secretariat is planning to organize a football and a table tennis tournament. By promoting sports diplomacy, CICA aims to strengthen bonds between countries and foster lasting friendships among participants and sports enthusiasts.
As the CICA Secretariat, we have updated our Roadmap for the implementation of the Chairmanshippriorities.
We are grateful to the Kazakhstan Chairmanship, the Kazakhstan’s governmental bodies, all CICA Member States for their continued support and interested cooperation. I am confident that through joint efforts we will be able to implement all the tasks assigned to us by the Heads of State and Government.
I sincerely hope that our constructive dialogue will continue further in good faith and with noble intention. Finally, I assure that the Secretariat would contribute everything, as much possible, for the realization of its goals and objectives.
Once again, I would like to thank you for your continuous support.
1 July 2023, Astana
