Thank you, Yuri Lavrinenko,
Dear Marat Karabayev,
Ministers, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
I am grateful for the invitation to represent the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) at this high-profile Forum.
The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, which will celebrate its 31st anniversary on 5 October 2023, is a large pan-Asian organization consisting of 28 Member States whose geography stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and from the Arctic Ocean to the Indian Ocean.
In total, the CICA Member States cover 90% of the entire Asian continent.
The growing relevance of the CICA platform for pan-Asian dialogue and cooperation has led to its further evolution.
On 12-13 October 2022, the Sixth Anniversary CICA Summit was held in Astana under the chairmanship of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The development of secure and effective systems of transportation corridors, trade and investment were naturally integrated into the CICA Confidence Building Measures Catalogue as priority areas of the economic dimension of cooperation among the Member States and the importance of this area will only grow taking into account the strengthening of Asia’s role in the global market of goods and services, as well as modern challenges and threats related to epidemiological safety, changes in the geopolitical situation, increased competition among the world’s leading economies.
In this regard, at the Sixth CICA Summit, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev initiated the establishment of the CICA Council on Sustainable Connectivity, noting that gaps in global supply chains force us to take a fresh look at the development of effective transit and transport corridors. Convenient and affordable ways of cargo transportation are an essential factor in the sustainable growth of our economies. It is important to focus on the implementation of transit and transport potential by working out diversified routes of communication and cargo delivery.
The cross-sectional nature of the issues of international transport and logistics, which include digitalization, green transformation, and harmonizing regulations for transportation corridors and regional transport and logistics hubs, will require specialists from different fields to work on a draft concept paper on the Council on Sustainable Connectivity.
There are many concepts and projects related to connectivity in Asia: Belt and Road, Middle Corridor, Regional Connectivity of Central and South Asia and many others.
At the opening of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly this September, many visions of Asian route corridors were presented, including by extra-regional players.
It is crucial that Asia have its own vision of the synergy of Asian connectivity projects and the development of the region's transit, transport and logistics potential. Coherent efforts without politicization by all stakeholders of the issue of forging such a vision will undoubtedly serve as a significant contribution to the development of Asian economies, creation of new jobs, increase in employment, the stability of the continent and its resistance to contemporary challenges and threats.
CICA is a suitable platform for crafting a consolidated approach of its Member States to the development of transport and logistics connectivity in Asia and strengthening of its role in the world economy.
It is important to mention that managing new challenges and threats in logistics and infrastructure, as well as searching for innovative solutions in this area, along with introducing artificial intelligence for SME development, expanding cross-border trade, prioritizing sustainable development in SMEs, empowering women in business are on the agenda of the seventh plenary meeting of the CICA Business Council, which will be held under the chairmanship of NCE Atameken in 2024.
Distinguished colleagues, I would like to conclude by expressing my appreciation to the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Kazlogistics, other co-hosts and sponsors for the excellent arrangements for this timely event, which has provided a great opportunity to exchange views and compare notes on relevant matters of international transport and logistics.
Thank you for your attention.
4 October 2023, Astana
Hilton Astana, Grand Ballroom
