Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear participants and esteemed delegates,
I am honoured to stand before you today at this Youth Development Forum, where we gather to discuss and reflect upon the incredible potential of our youth and the critical role they play in shaping the future of Asia. I would like to welcome all the participants and express my gratitude to the China International Communications Group for providing this platform to engage in a meaningful dialogue.
Indeed, the youth generation represents the main driving force for sustainable development and prosperous Asia. I’d like to quote the UN Secretary General H.E. António Guterres who stated that “The hopes of the World rest on young people” and we have to provide more opportunities for youth to make a difference for the benefit of the people.
The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, as an intergovernmental forum with the widest geographical coverage in the Asian region and a broad agenda, together with its Member States is creating a unique platform to consolidate the wisdom of all Asian countries for peace, cooperation, security and development, and to fully integrate them into multilateral decision-making processes of global importance.
Today, CICA unites 28 states covering more than 90 percent of the territory of Asia and is a multilateral dialogue providing its diverse membership equal opportunities, implementation of mutually beneficial initiatives based on consensus.
The Sixth CICA Summit held in Astana last October in the thirtieth anniversary year of CICA, launched a structured, inclusive and transparent negotiation process of gradual, incremental and consensus-based transformation of CICA into a full-fledged international regional organization. Hopefully, 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 we would be able to formalize this process by endorsing the CICA Road Map on Transformation.
Since its establishment, CICA's main area of activity has been confidence building measures (CBMs) in the five dimensions of cooperation: military-political, economic, environmental, human, and new challenges and threats, with some 30 activities held annually.
On top of that within the human dimension, CICA Member States actively interact on a wide range of humanitarian issues, including respect for human rights, promotion of dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions of Asia, empowerment of women and girls, science and education, as well as cooperate in the framework of the CICA Youth Council - the very first permanent CICA institution established in 2014. The meetings of the Youth Council are being held annually to discuss important topics and formulate common vision for prosperity of Asia with significant contribution of youth generation. The next, 6th meeting of the CICA Youth Council will take place later this year in Uzbekistan and I hope we will be able to continue our discussions in the frame of CICA Youth Council.
Additionally, recognizing the strength and potential of the youth and volunteering, the Kazakh Chairmanship intends to hold a CICA Rally of Volunteer Movement Leaders in 2024 in Astana under the auspices of the CICA Youth Council. This event will bring together young leaders from Member States to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices in volunteerism and community engagement. We have already commenced our efforts to implement this initiative and held a panel session "Prospects for the Development of Volunteering in the CICA Countries" in the frame of the International Forum of Volunteers in June 2023 in Astana. To reaffirm the significance of volunteerism, the CICA Ministerial Council will adopt the Ministerial Statement on Promoting Volunteerism for Sustainable Development at its informal meeting on 21 September 2023 in New York on the margins of the high-level week of the UN General Assembly.
In its dedication to economic and business agenda, the CICA Business Council was established in 2014 to promote development and expand economic cooperation in the Small and Medium Entrepreneurship, as well as uniting business associations and government agencies for the promotion of SMEs in the CICA region.
It is with great enthusiasm I bring your attention to the recently established CICA Fund. The utilization of the Fund is dedicated to the advancement of the developmental goals of CICA countries. The scope of activities of the Fund is vast and impactful. This Fund could be used for such activities and projects for youth and students that align harmoniously with the goals and principles set forth by the CICA. The Fund could serve as a catalyst for nurturing the potential of our youth in capacity building and knowledge exchange by organizing seminars, workshops, roundtables, and training initiatives. We can together strengthen the generation of youth by leveraging the CICA Fund to its fullest potential steering our countries towards progress and prosperity.
I strongly believe that education is the cornerstone of youth development. We must ensure that our educational systems are inclusive, equitable, and up-to-date with the rapidly evolving world. Our youth should have access to quality education that prepares them for the challenges of the 21st century. In its dedication to education, CICA is working on 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. We expect that main beneficiaries of Partnership Network will be youth population of the region.
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 organized a bicycle tour to celebrate World Bicycle Day on June 3. I invite everyone to join this initiative annually, with the information support from CICA Secretariat. Recently, together with the representatives of diplomatic missions we raised the CICA flag on top of Satpayev Peak near the city of Almaty at the elevation of 4317 m. above sea level.
Moreover, to increase the environmental awareness we established a CICA Alley in Astana and every year increase the number of trees planted. We expect that initiative will be followed by the Member States by opening CICA Alleys in respective capitals. Youth generation could be driving force of this project.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our today’s Forum will undoubtedly be marked by spirited debates, insightful conversations, and shared wisdom. I expect active participation, to share your experiences, and to listen to the perspectives of your peers. Let us collectively carve out a direction for empowering our youth, for building an Asia that is not only prosperous but also equitable and harmonious.
In closing, I extend my deepest appreciation to organizers, every delegate, every speaker, and every young participant who has taken time to join us in this endeavor. Your presence here reflects your commitment to a brighter future for our continent and the whole World. Together, we can build a brighter future, one that is inclusive, innovative, and driven by the incredible potential of our youth.
Let us begin this forum with an open heart, a receptive mind, and a determination to make a lasting impact.
Thank you very much!
Beijing, China, 31 August 2023
