A roundtable organized by the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) brought together executive bodies of the United Nations system and leading regional organizations from across Asia, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The event, held as part of the program marking CICA’s 20th anniversary, reaffirmed participants’ commitment to advancing multilateral cooperation and strengthening the regional agenda. Representatives of UN entities participated in the dialogue, including the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Regional organizations were represented by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO RATS), and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Observers included the League of Arab States (LAS), the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
Think tank representatives from India and Kazakhstan, as well as former CICA leaders, also joined the discussions. CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay highlighted the growing complexity of the international environment, stressing that contemporary transnational challenges – from climate risks to supply chain disruptions – require stronger multilateral coordination.
He noted that no state or organization can address these challenges effectively alone. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of executive bodies in implementing political decisions into practical outcomes. CICA reaffirmed its readiness to expand cooperation with partner organizations.
During the sessions, participants discussed the need to modernize international cooperation mechanisms amid rising global uncertainty. CICA was described as an important platform for developing an inclusive security architecture in Asia. Participants also proposed establishing a regional observatory to monitor connectivity in transport, digital, and energy sectors.
Separate sessions focused on cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, as well as on the role of executive bodies in strengthening collaboration. Participants underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to prevent conflicts and to improve the implementation of international mandates.
The priorities identified included parliamentary diplomacy, legislative harmonization, strategic planning, and advancing digital and industrial cooperation. At the conclusion of the meeting, participants emphasized that international and regional organizations should be viewed as partners rather than competitors.
They agreed to continue regular dialogue to strengthen stability and advance progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had signed the law ratifying the memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations regarding the United Nations Regional Center for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan.