Meant for OSCEs Contact Group Meeting with the Asian Partners on 1 April 2011

PRESENTATION ON THE CICAs EXPERIENCE IN THE ECONOMIC & ENVIRONMENTAL CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES Relevance: Both CICA and OSCE strive for intra and inter regional security and stability for their respective regions. Both CICA and OSCE have reaffirmed their faith that such an objective can be achieved through interdependent dimensions of politicomilitary, economic, and human and environment. Both are desirous of achieving these goals through mutual dialogue and cooperation. OSCE was created to serve the objective of initiating the dialogue with the east. CICA is the forum with its 24 Asian Member states that provides opportunity for such a dialogue. 7 of CICAs member states, which account for one fourth of the CICA, are members of OSCE as well. Therefore CICAs experience in the economic confidence Building Measures may be of some use for OSCE. A- ECONOMIC DIMENSION The guiding principles of the economic relations within the CICA Member States provide for the development of mutual economic interests with the contribution of each member state under conditions of full equality. This implies that each Member State has full right to develop science and technology aimed for the peaceful economic progress. The mutually beneficial and cooperative approach is intended to increase bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation and to make way for such cooperation by the establishment of necessary transit, transport and communication contacts. To enhance economic growth, CICAs Member States have adopted mutually acceptable Confidence Building Measures in the economic dimension which comprises of these measures: 1 -establishment of a common database and a system of data exchange in trade and economic spheres. 2 -exchange of information on natural and industrial disasters on their territories which in their view may affect their neighbors. 3 -exchange of information on their national authorities responsible for development of international tourism and tourist infrastructure and assistance in establishing and strengthening contacts between these authorities. 4 -exchange of information regarding suspicious financial transactions, illegal financial operations and assistance in establishing and strengthening contacts between appropriate authorities.

It was felt that the implementation of these Confidence Building Measures would be more fruitful if a cooperative approach is adopted which must involve joint efforts. It was therefore decided to achieve the major objectives of the CICAs economic dimension gradually step by step to enhance the joint cooperation amongst the member states on voluntary basis, which culminated into the following subobjectives: 1. Cooperation to promote various modes of transport linkages. 2. Cooperation for the development of secure and effective systems of transportation corridors. 3. Taking necessary steps to ensure energy security cooperation in the CICA region, including development of and enhancing efficiency and safety of the routes and security of supply of energy. 4. Widening of cooperation in the sphere of tourism, by exchanging information in this field and encouraging contacts between tourism organizations of the Member States. 5. Visa facilitation including expeditious business visas in order to enhance trade and investment relations among the Member States. 6. Widening of cooperation among financial sectors. 7. Promoting business opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). 8. Expanding investment opportunities and cooperation 9. Encouraging cooperation in the field of communications and information technology. 10. Establishing a common database on trade and other areas of economic interest. CICA Member states may voluntarily chose to be a coordinating or cocoordinating country for one or more of these CBMs. Once a Member States has expressed his interest in a specific CBM, it will as a coordinating country draft a concept paper for the implementation. The drafting of Concept Paper is done by the involvement of the experts (in those specific areas) from the coordinating Member States, as well as other Member States on volunteer basis. After it has been agreed or modified by the Member States, it may lead to an action plan for the implementation of specific measures. Before and after the adoption of the Concept paper the specialized meetings are held as per the needs felt by the coordinating countries. In the Economic Dimension, as on the date, Member States of CICA have adopted four concept papers in the areas of :

Promotion of Business Opportunities and Information Exchange in Small and Medium Enterprise b) Information Technology c) Tourism d) Energy Security Cooperation
a) a) Three Member States have volunteered to be a Coordinator (Russia) and two

co-coordinators (Thailand and Kazakhstan) for the CBM in the area of Promotion of Business opportunities and information exchange in Small and Medium Enterprises. After having sought inputs from the experts of the subject, the three coordinating States had prepared a Concept Paper which was circulated to Member States. This was then discussed in an Experts Meeting (in Moscow in June 2009) and thereafter adopted by Senior Officers Committee (on October 2009 in Beijing) with an Action Plan. (copies of the same placed on tables) Briefly, the concept paper has envisaged the goals to strengthen the SME Sectors amongst CICA Member States, use of ICT to bring competitiveness and widening of opportunities, creation of favourable legal environment, sharing of regulations and best practices and to organize programs and events to broaden economic cooperation and exchange of information on SME technologies. The corresponding Action Plan had set forth a road plan for (i) Stepping- up cooperation in the area of anti-crisis support to small and medium enterprise of the CICA Member States and exploring the possibility to hold a seminar on indicated issues by coordinating countries. (ii) Using of ICT to promote SMEs by providing a single portal for exchange of information amongst SMEs from the Member States, to provide platform through forums for networking amongst SMEs and to explore the possibility of incorporating electronic support systems for information exchange by SMEs; and (iii) Implementing these measures by direct dialogue amongst the authorized agencies regulating SMEs in the respective States, on the conditions and forms of cooperation (or the Member States devising their own plans on cooperation), monitoring the progress in Special Working Group Meetings and Member States establishing ad-hoc groups with the participation of Coordinators. Consequent to a consultative meeting (in January 2011, Moscow) and a further experts Meeting (in Istanbul, January 2011 ) regarding the implementation of the action plan, the modalities of holding the Business Forum were decided.
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Accordingly, the Business Forum was held in Bangkok on the scheduled dates on 30 March, 2011, which provided opportunity for the SME agencies of the Member States to have dialogue and cooperate on these issues. Following the Business Forum, a review of the Forum was done and future course of action for further progress in this area was decided by the CICA Sub-Economic Dimension group which was held next day. This provided a very good opportunity for the relevant Governmental authorities of CICA Member States in SMEs development to brainstorm the strategy for the development of SMEs development and establish their network. In Information Technology, the concept paper was prepared by the coordinating country (South Korea) in two main areas: Policy and regulatory activity for the new areas emanating from the existing areas of IT sector like digitalization and convergence of networks, devices, services and applications in the telecommunication and broadcasting sectors, which demand new regulatory laws. The policy activity is also required for addressing the ethical issues arising out of widespread use of Internet and digital services and for ensuring security against hostile cyber attacks including those of criminal, terrorist and of military nature. The second area relates to the reaping of the benefits of ICT sector in making the governance more efficient. The concept paper was taken up for discussion in SOC meeting (in Baku, March, 2011) and was adopted by Silence Procedure in April 2010.
b)

The corresponding action plan envisagedThe CICA Member States to designate focal points for exchange of information on policy regulation in ICT, promotion of IT industry, egovernance, and combating crimes in IT sector. (ii) As a first steps the coordinating country to hold a workshop on these lines. (iii) Other Member States to hold such seminars/workshops on voluntary basis.
(i)

As per the action plan, the coordinating country held a course programme on the suggestive guidelines in September 2010 which disseminated information based on country reports and lectures delivered by the experts during the seminar.
c) The Concept Paper prepared by the coordinating country (Tajikistan) in the

area of tourism was adopted by SOC in February 2009, which aims at convergence of cultures for peaceful coexistence of the people of the Member States through increased tourism without compromising fundamentals rights
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and freedoms as governed by the Charter of the UNWTO on Global Ethical Code of Tourism. For increase in the tourism, the paper envisages implementation of joint efforts for mutual popularization and preservation of cultural, historical, natural and climatic features of the Member States. The Action Plan of the paper objectified in organizing specialized Experts Meetings, preparation of a list of focal points and the linking of the tourism websites of the Member States. As a first step it was decided that the coordinating country would organize a meeting of Tourist Ministers from the Member States to address the cooperation issues specified in the Action Plan. Unfortunately, this meeting could not be held as scheduled and as a next step the Members states have been requested to volunteer for hosting the event.

d) The Concept Paper prepared by the Coordinating Country (South Korea) in

Energy Security Cooperation was adopted in January 2010. The Paper, while realizing the importance of energy concerns of the Member States in the maintenance of security in the region, seeks cooperation in these areas: stability of energy market by cooperative networking between energy producing, consuming and transiting countries; harmonizing energy policies and encouraging use of market mechanisms for the economic growth of Member States and improving energy efficiency by joint development of technologies for energy conservation; exchange and dissemination of information in advanced expertise for upgrading the existing technologies and renewable energy resources. The Action Plan proposes to achieve these goals by holding of expert meetings and by designating contact points for cooperation by the Member States. In addition to the above Measures, the Concept Paper for the CBM in the area of r Cooperation for the Development of Secure and effective Corridors is in the process of discussion and modifications at the Experts level (Coordinator Azerbaijan) B- ENVIRONMENT DIMENSION According to Cooperative Approach for the Implementation of the CICA CBMs, Member States have specified the following priorities for cooperation in environmental area: 1. Sharing information of best practices concerning national policies on environmental protection. 2. Sharing of information on best practices concerning sustainable development.

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Developing guidelines for cooperation in the fields of disaster management systems, national monitoring of environmental and disaster situations, development of early warning systems, holding joint trainings and searchrescue operations. 4. Development and application of common programs on environment protection without prejudice to the Member States rights and obligations under relevant bilateral and multilateral instruments. 5. Exchange of information on natural and industrial disasters on their territories which in their view may affect their neighbors. The Action Plan (prepared by Mongolia) corresponding to the above mentioned priorities was adopted in October 2010 in Ankara by the Senior Officers Committee, envisages following Meetings, which have yet to take place: a) On conservation of bio-diversity b) On development of proposals on combating desertification in the CICA countries c) On preservation of glaciers and fragile mountain ecosystems d) On environment protection legislation

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Address by CICA Deputy Executive Director Mr. Kanat Tumysh at the First Expert Meeting on "Implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia". Bratislava, the Slovak Republic, 15-16 December 2010 Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, It is a matter of great privilege and honour for me to address the First Expert Meeting on "Implementing the United Nations Global CounterTerrorism Strategy in Central Asia". In twenty first century, International Terrorism has become one of the most serious threats to global peace and security and a scourge on all democratic governments. All too often we are reminded that terrorism continues to inflict pain and suffering on peoples lives all over the world. Almost no week goes by without an act of terrorism taking place somewhere in the world, indiscriminately affecting innocent people who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hijackings, bombings, and assassinations on different continents of the world may seem like isolated attacks, but they reflect an easy reliance on violence by misguided terrorist groups or individuals as a way to promote social, political, and religious change. In short, the threat of terrorism has started to affect our day to day life and countering this scourge is the foremost necessity of all nations. Terrorism constitutes the most flagrant violation of international law, in particular the right to life, freedom, security and development. Terrorist acts endanger not only the territorial integrity and stability of States but also national, regional and international security. Terrorism creates adverse consequences on the economic and social development thereby affecting the livelihood of common people. There can be absolutely no justification for acts of terrorism, no matter whatever the considerations or factors are invoked to justify them. At the same time, we must remember that Terrorism can not and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group. These attributions should not be used to justify terrorism or counter-terrorism measures that may include, inter alia, profiling of terror suspects. While globalization has brought unprecedented benefits in the form of rapid economic, technological and social changes, these changes have also spawned the much more sinister by-product of globalization of terrorism. It is ironic that international terrorism, the phenomenon of
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terrorists operating in and against several nations simultaneously, has been facilitated by globalization. Increasingly wired and connected world has enabled collaboration not only among the companies and communities but also among the terrorist groups. Soft borders created by globalization facilitate the mobility of terrorists, their finances and their ideas. Easy availability of technology on internet has also helped terrorists. Possibility of terrorist groups acquiring technology to produce weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological weapons can not altogether be ruled out. The menace of terrorism has been magnified by its close links with trans-national crime, drug trafficking and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons. With globalization of terrorism, it is not possible for any country to tackle this menace on its own. International terrorism needs concerted and coordinated response from the community of nations. The fight against terrorism should be global, comprehensive and sustained. This fight should not be selective or discriminatory and should avoid applying double standards. It is also necessary that fight against terrorism should be in accordance with the norms and principles of international law as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It is clear that the scourge of terrorism can not be addressed by military means only. It is necessary to address the root causes of terrorism. Ignorance, poverty, social and economic inequalities and religious extremism are fodder for terrorism. International community needs to work together to remove these causes. Only then it will be possible to eliminate terrorism. Mr. Chairman, Distinguished delegates, Regional organizations have an important role to play in countering international terrorism. They can address the issues that are typical and of direct relevance to their respective regions. CICA geography, which includes 4 Central Asian nations, has witnessed a number of extreme cases of violence perpetrated by terrorists. Some of the CICA member states have been facing the menace of terrorism for decades now. Every year, thousands of innocent civilians perish in the barbaric acts of terrorism. The phenomenon of terrorism has affected livelihood of millions of people. There are areas within CICA region where people live in perpetual fear of terrorism. CICA, on its part, has taken a very strong stand against terrorism. In Almaty Act, the constitutive document of CICA, member states expressly declared their determination to co-operate on bilateral as well as multilateral basis to combat terrorism including its possible sources. They also agreed not to allow terrorism in any form to be prepared, assisted, launched and financed from their territories or to provide safe haven and protection to terrorists.
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The 2002 declaration of the First CICA Summit titled "Eliminating Terrorism and Promoting Dialogue among Civilizations", was devoted exclusively to terrorism. In all subsequent declarations adopted at Summit or Ministerial level, member states have unequivocally reiterated their commitment to jointly fight this menace which has affected lives of millions of people in the region. Seldom has any organisation such a strong stand against terrorism right from the time of its inception. CICA has not confined itself to merely making statements on the issue of terrorism. It has adopted an action plan to implement confidence building measures among the member states to meet new threats and challenges that include terrorism and related issues of trans-national crime, border control management and human trafficking. CICA has also adopted a separate action plan for countering drug trafficking, which has become integral part of terrorist network in the CICA region. Some of the important features of the action plan include creating network of focal points in CICA member states dealing with relevant subjects; organizing seminars and training programmes; regular meetings of Police Chiefs; timely exchange of information; and establishments of Centers of Excellence. Implementation of the action plan has already commenced with the First CICA Chiefs of Police Meeting held in Antalya, Turkey in June this year. We are hopeful that implementation of confidence building measures among the CICA Member States will go a long way to address the issue of international terrorism. CICA is also aware of the necessity of preventing terrorism through countering ideologies that justify it. For this purpose, CICA is making efforts to develop inter-civilization and inter-cultural dialogue and understanding by holding seminars and meetings on the subject. CICA will be very happy to cooperate with United Nations and regional organizations for implementation of the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, international conventions and other universal counterterrorism-related legal instruments in accordance with the spirit enshrined in the four pillars of the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, which was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly in September 2006 and reaffirmed in September this year. Let us work together to lay solid foundations of these four pillars and build a strong edifice with a view to eliminating the menace of terrorism. Thank you!