Situational Paper 5

Situational Paper

The first formal summit meeting of the heads of the member states of the 16-member Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was held in Almaty (Kazakhstan), on 3-5 June, 2002. The Almaty moot had earlier been scheduled to take place in November 2001, in Almaty, but was postponed due to the September 11 incident. The member states of the conference include; Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Palestine, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. The main purpose of the meeting was to sign the "Almaty Act" and "Declaration on Eliminating Terrorism and Promoting Dialogues among Civilizations" by the heads of the member states. These documents elaborate the main purpose of the Conference, i.e., to work towards mutual confidence building and conflict prevention in Asia, thereby ensuring stability and peace in the Asian continent. (Annex) The idea for the formation of CICA was floated by Kazakh President, Nursultan Nazarbayev in 1992, when he came up with the initiative to create a new international organization in Asia on the patterns of OSCE. Realizing the importance of the proposal, several meetings of the experts from various Asian countries were held in 1993-94. The meetings resulted in establishment of a Special Working Group (SWG), aimed at the preparation of a conference of the foreign ministers of the interested states. The first meeting of SWG was held in 1995. The Kazakh Foreign Ministry also held two meetings of the Deputy Foreign Ministers of the interested states, in which representatives of 23 Asian countries agreed that the development of the CICA needed a long term and common effort of all participants.

The international colloquium "Asian Security in the Context of Convening the CICA", held in Almaty in October 1998, was an important step in this regard. The heads and members of the leading scientific and research centres from Asia, Europe, and the US took part in the colloquium to exchange views on all aspects of Asian security, with emphasis on pursuing the idea of creating a regional security system in the form of CICA. The meeting of Foreign Ministers of the member states, held in Almaty on September 14, 1998, became the biggest achievement for Kazakhstan. It was here for the first time, that a legal basis of an Asian security system, providing for concrete activities, measures, and mechanisms of ensuring stability in the region, was created. The meeting also paved the way for signing the "Declaration of Principles", forming this organization. The Declaration laid down the following main principles of the Conference:

Main Principles of CICA

Sovereign equality, respect for rights inherent in sovereignty
Refraining from the threat or use of force.
Territorial integrity of the member states.
Peaceful settlement of disputes.
Non-intervention in internal affairs.
Economic, social and cultural cooperation.
Human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Later on, several meetings of the SWG were held in the subsequent years to finalize the draft of CICA Summit Document, to be signed by the heads of the member states. The June 2002 summit was held to sign the documents and formally initiate the working of "Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia". The "Almaty Act" aimed at the security cooperation and confidence building among the CICA member states against security threats to Asia. While "The Declaration" emphasizes the denunciation of terrorist acts, measures against the fundamental cause of terrorism, and key role to be played by the UN in the coalition against terrorism.

Besides the signing of the document, the conference's main focus remained on the resolution of tension between two nuclear rivals - India and Pakistan - who have been at the brink of a nuclear war over the Kashmir issue.

Efforts to Resolve India-Pakistan Tension

It was after 36 years since the signing of the "Tashkent Declaration" in 1966 that the Russian Federation decided to actively involve itself in the context of India-Pakistan tension. The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, tried to play the role of peacemaker to mediate between India and Pakistan, and to avoid escalation in their conflict. Mr. Putin in his opening remarks to the summit said, "the explosive state of relation between India and Pakistan causes deep concern … seriously destabilising the situation on the entire South Asian subcontinent." Following his meeting with Pakistan's President, General Pervez Musharraf, Vladimir Putin told the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, that Pakistan President Musharraf had offered some positive proposals to resolve tensions with India. However, no details of the proposals were revealed. He, however, could not succeed in bringing both the South Asian rivals on the negotiation table because of India's constant refusal to talk to Pakistan. Nevertheless, Putin invited both India and Pakistan to come to Moscow to discuss and resolve their major disputes and conflicts, particularly that of Kashmir. Pakistan's President Musharraf has accepted the invitation, but the Indian side has rejected the proposal of holding peace talks in Moscow. Despite his unsuccessful diplomatic venture, Putin said that he was hopeful of a peaceful resolution of conflict between India and Pakistan, as both sides had pledged "to the principle of resolving the conflict without using force."

It is widely believed that a meeting between the two leaders of India and Pakistan at this tense moment could have paved the way for further talks, thereby leading to a military de-escalation, and perhaps an end to the current standoff. However, hopes that such a meeting would take place were dashed due to Indians' constant refusal to hold any dialogue with Pakistan, unless and until "cross-border incursion" into the Indian occupied Kashmir by the "militants" supported by Pakistan halted. Pakistan, however, showed extreme willingness for "unconditional talks" with India to resolve all issues of concern, including the core issue of Kashmir.

For Pakistan, the Almaty Declaration once again proves its contention that the international community - including India - has to fulfill its obligations regarding Kashmir in accordance with the UN Resolutions and international law. While self-determination may have become unfashionable, it is a legitimate goal under international law and contrary to what Kofi Annan may claim, in his realpolitik game plan, UN resolutions and international law are not time barred or outdated. Almaty has clearly shown that.

Also, unlike the notion of terrorism, self-determination has been clearly identified within international law and it still remains a peremptory norm of international law (jus cogens). This norm (of self-determination) is not only a part of customary international law, but is also enshrined as one of the principles of the UN as laid out in Article 1:2 of its Charter. The United Nations sees self-determination within the context of people fighting against colonialism, foreign occupation and to enforce international commitments made to them. The strength of the self-determination norm is such that international conventions dealing with terrorism have always acknowledged and distinguished between struggles for self-determination and acts of terrorism and the Almaty Declaration is no exception.

Critical Appreciation

The CICA is the first security organization, which covers the entire Asian region, unlike the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which deals with a specific part the Asian continent. The geo-political and economic scope of the CICA is quite large compared to other regions of the world. The overall territory of the 16 members countries constitutes 388 million square kilometres, which is about 89 % of the whole of Asia, and 72% of Eurasia. It is home to almost 3 billion people, which is 50% of the world's population. Among the member states, Russia, China, India, and Pakistan are nuclear weapon states. The member states attract a considerable share of world's volumes of investment owing to their hydrocarbon reserves, particularly oil and gas, and other economic potentials. The total hydrocarbon reserves and production of CICA members, like Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, represents a significant portion of the world's resource base and production. But to utilize this economic potential to its full extent, political stability and maintenance of peace is a prerequisite. So, to provide a platform to the Asian states to enhance mutual cooperation, and to maintain and ensure peace and stability in the Asian continent was a good initiative by the Kazakh President, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Most of the member states have bilateral territorial and border disputes with each other. For example, Pakistan-India dispute, Israel-Palestine dispute etc. The forum could play a major role in easing persistent tensions arising out of such disputes, and also provide a set of principles to resolve them by employing amicable means of settlement. Although, the CICA efforts to resolve disputes may not bring fruits in the near future, but the constant process of dialogue and active involvement of the member states can pave the way for lasting peace and stability in this "conflict-ridden region" in the long run.

On the Asian continent, the countries of West Asia, East Asia, and Far East hold importance due to their economic development and opportunities they hold for the other regional and international countries. Since many among them are not members of the Conference, such as Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia etc, extending membership to them will not only strengthen, but will also add to the importance of the Conference. Particularly for the Muslim states of West Asia, the importance of membership of the CICA cannot be denied, since Israel being a member can exploit this opportunity to project its own stance on Palestinian issue, therefore negatively effecting Palestinians' struggle for liberation against the yoke of Israeli occupation.

Also, the documents signed at the Conference are a manifestation of its resolve to work towards maintaining peace in the Asian region, plagued with non-traditional sources of social instability and conflict, such as terrorism, religious militancy, drug trafficking, nuclear proliferation, smuggling of small arms, migration etc. Both the documents have addressed almost all these major issues, but they are not free from loopholes. For instance, the Almaty Act while condemns "separatist movements", also recognizes the "right of self-determination" for people living under foreign occupation. Moreover, it condemns religious extremism, but does not raise the issue of massacre unleashed against religious minorities in certain member states. A major example of this is Indian callousness against Muslim and Christian minorities in India. It also does not mention the issue of "state terrorism", witnessed in Kashmir and Palestine where innocent civilians are subjected to the Indian and Israeli troops' atrocities on a daily basis.

However, despite all those drawbacks, the Conference could be helpful in providing many good venues and opportunities to the member states.

It is for the first time that the Central Asian region hosted an international conference on such a large scale, which is the manifestation of their emerging status and position in the international community. The Conference gave confidence to the Central Asian States, which have lesser diplomatic experience.

Since Russia took the initiative in helping de-escalate Pak-India tension, it signifies Russia's interests in the region coupled with Russia's desire of playing a major role in the region and world affairs. It also reflects Russia's concerns regarding a major instability in the neighbourhood that may have serious ramifications for it as well.

The Conference provided Pakistan with a renewed opportunity to forge friendly relations with Russia, earlier missed by the successive Pakistani governments. On the sidelines of the Conference, President, General Pervez Musharraf paid a visit to Tajikistan, which is economically and strategically an important state for Pakistan because of its economic potentials and opportunities that it can provide to Pakistan. Pakistan already has friendly relations with almost all the Central Asian States, and has signed several agreements for enhancing economic cooperation. A recent example is the Pakistan-Turkmenistan-Afghanistan gas pipeline deal, which the heads of the three states signed in May 2002, to construct a gas pipeline from the Dulatabad gas fields in Turkmenistan via Afghanistan to the Gawader port of Pakistan. This pipeline project, if materialised, will bring economic prosperity to all the three participants of the project.

The CICA can provide Asia with the enduring and lasting peace if the documents and drafts signed in the course of the Almaty meeting are implemented in letter and spirit, and the member states show their commitment to work towards ensuring peace in this region.

Sadia Sulaiman

ALMATY DECLARATION

Preamble

We, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA),

Having met in Almaty at a time of profound changes which are taking place in Asia and the world to set up our vision of security in Asia and enhance our capabilities for co-operation on issues of common concern for our peoples;

Recognising the close link between peace, security and stability in Asia and in the rest of the world;

Committing ourselves to working to ensure peace and security in Asia and making it a region open to dialogue and co-operation;

Believing that the CICA process presents new opportunities for co-operation, peace and security in Asia;

Declaring our determination to form in Asia a common and indivisible area of security, where all states peacefully co-exist, and their peoples live in conditions of peace, freedom and prosperity, and confident that peace, security and development complement, sustain and reinforce each other;

Reaffirming our commitment to the UN Charter, as well as to the Declaration on the Principles Guiding Relations Among CICA Member States, which is an integral part of the Almaty Act, as the basis for our future co-operation;

Considering that all aspects of comprehensive security in Asia, including its political and military aspects, confidence-building measures, economic and environmental issues, humanitarian and cultural co-operation, are interdependent and interrelated and should be pursued actively;

Confident that full, equal and comprehensive implementation and observance of the principles, provisions and commitments enshrined in the Almaty Act will create the conditions for advanced co-operation among the CICA Member States and will guide us towards a better future, which our peoples deserve;

Have adopted the following:

I. Security and co-operation.

The main objective and thrust of the CICA will be to enhance co-operation through elaborating multilateral approaches towards promoting peace, security and stability in Asia.
In order to achieve this objective, the Member States will take the necessary steps to develop the CICA as a forum for dialogue, consultations and adoption of decisions and measures on the basis of consensus on security issues in Asia.
We call upon and continue to encourage all Member States who are parties to a dispute to settle this peacefully in conformity with the principles envisaged in the UN Charter.
Recognising the contribution which increased trade and economic co-operation can make for the prosperity and stability in Asia and to the well-being of their peoples, we will make further efforts to promote initiatives in these fields, as mentioned in the Declaration on the Principles Guiding Relations among the CICA Member States. We also recognise the need for better co-operation on all issues which constitute risks to the environment.
The Member States reiterate their belief that protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the UN Charter and the international conventions and instruments to which they are parties contributes to the consolidation of peace, security and stability in Asia. They also declare their readiness to further their co-operation in this field in a spirit of friendliness.
We consider that humanitarian issues, such as natural disasters and refugee flows, are areas of common concern since they also affect stability and security in the region. The Member States are resolved to developing measures, where necessary, to address these issues through co-operation in the region as well as with the UN and other relevant international organisations.
We believe that enhancing mutual respect, mutual understanding and tolerance in the relations among civilisations is an important goal for our times. Noting with satisfaction the designation of the first year of the millennium as the year of Dialogue among Civilisations, we shall encourage and strengthen this process.
We consider globalisation as a challenge of our time. While it could offer certain opportunities for growth and development, at present the benefits of globalisation are unevenly shared among the nations and much remains to be done to ensure that its benefits be comprehensively and equitably distributed at the global level.
Joint actions and co-ordinated responses are necessary to deal with challenges and threats that our states and peoples are faced with.

II. Challenges to security.

The Member States seek to promote regional and international security and stability, which will also contribute to peaceful settlement of existing and prevention of the emergence of new crisis situations and disputes.
The continuing existence and proliferation in all its aspects of nuclear weapons, as well as chemical and biological weapons, pose a great threat to all humanity. The Member States pledge to support the efforts for the global elimination of all weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and therefore they commit themselves to an increased co-operation for the prevention of proliferation of all such weapons, including nuclear weapons, which constitute a particular danger to international peace and security.
With the end of the Cold War, the opportunity now exists for the international community to pursue nuclear disarmament as a matter of the highest priority. We shall encourage all nations to keep all options open for achieving this aim, including the possibilities of convening an international conference to identify ways of eliminating nuclear dangers and negotiating a comprehensive and verifiable nuclear weapons convention. We affirm the importance of the early realisation of the universal adherence to the multilaterally negotiated instruments on the elimination of WMD, and urge those states not yet party to these instruments to accede to them as soon as possible.
We support the establishment of zones free from nuclear weapons and other WMD in Asia on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the states of the region concerned. The establishment of such zones in regions for which consensus resolutions of the UN General Assembly exist, such as the Middle East and Central Asia, should be encouraged; in this context, we invite adherence to internationally negotiated disarmament and non-proliferation instruments in accordance with all the provisions of the relevant consensus resolutions of the UN and the positions of states concerned on the implementation of these resolutions.
The Member States reaffirm their belief in the need of ensuring security at the lowest level of armament and military forces. We recognise the necessity to curb excessive and destabilising accumulation of conventional armaments. We emphasise the importance of the maintenance of the international strategic stability to world peace and security and to the continued progress of arms control and disarmament. We emphasise the importance of multilateral negotiations on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
We believe that direct or indirect threat or use of force in violation of the UN Charter and international law against the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the states; denial of the right to self-determination of peoples which remain under foreign occupation (a right which has to be exercised in accordance with the UN Charter and international law); interference in the internal affairs of states and offensive strategic doctrines pose threats to regional and international peace.
The Member States unconditionally and unequivocally condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as well as any support or acquiescence to it and the failure to directly condemn it. The threat posed by terrorism has been increasingly growing over the last decade. Terrorism in all its forms is a trans-national threat, which endangers the lives of individuals and peoples and undermines the territorial integrity, unity, sovereignty and security of states. The menace of terrorism has been magnified by its close links with drug trafficking, illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) and their transfers in any form to terrorist groups, racist ideologies, separatism, all forms of extremism which present basic sources of financing and providing manpower for terrorist activities. We regard as criminal all acts, methods and practices of terrorism and declare our determination to co-operate on bilateral as well as multilateral basis to combat terrorism including its possible sources. In order to eradicate this menace to peace and security, we shall reinforce and unite our efforts in order not to allow terrorism in any form to be prepared, assisted, launched and financed from the territory of any state and we shall refuse to provide terrorists with safe haven and protection.
We recognise that implementation of the UN Conventions will contribute to tackling the problems of terrorism and support the elaboration of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Separatism is one of the main threats and challenges to the security and stability, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of states. The Member States shall not support on the territory of another Member State any separatist movements and entities, and, if such emerge, not to establish political, economic and other kinds of relations with them, not to allow the territories and communications of the Member States to be used by the above-mentioned movements and entities, and not to render them any kind of economic, financial and other assistance. We reaffirm the right of people living under foreign occupation for self-determination in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
We reject the use of religion as a pretext by terrorists and separatist movements and groups to achieve their objectives. We also reject all forms of extremism and will work to promote tolerance among our nations and peoples.
Illicit drug trafficking represents a major threat to internal and international stability and security of our states and our continent as a whole as well as to the well-being of our peoples. This problem is closely linked with the socio-economic and political situation in several regions, terrorist activities across the world, and international criminal groups engaged in trans-national crime, money laundering and illicit SALW trafficking. We recognise that there are several states in Asia which require priority attention and assistance by the international community in order to combat drug trafficking. We also recognise the need for effective strategies to reduce production, supply and demand for drugs. In this respect, we will co-operate to monitor suspicious financial flows, including issues related to incomes and transparency of bank operations in accordance with the existing international legal instruments, and to identify the sources of production, consumption and trafficking of drugs. In order to assist the practical implementation of these tasks, multinational training courses and exercises as well as exchange of information among the competent authorities of the Member States will be promoted. We also call upon major consuming countries to play a more active role in providing equipment, training and educational courses, rehabilitation, technical and financial assistance to Asian drug producing and transit countries. Adoption and implementation of crop substitution plans and alternative development strategies in drug producing regions in Asia should also be encouraged to tackle the menace of illicit drugs more effectively.
We also recognise corruption as a trans-national crime which calls for concerted multilateral action. In this regard, we emphasise the need for banning the transfer of illicit funds and wealth and also the need for enhanced international co-operation in tracing and repatriating such assets.
The Member States recognise that illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons poses a threat to peace and security and is directly linked with terrorist activity, separatist movements, drug trafficking and armed conflicts. In this context, we underline the importance of the Firearms Protocol reached in the framework of the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the Programme of Action adopted by the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects which was held in New York in July 2001.
We are determined to co-operate with each other on bilateral and multilateral basis to prevent such threats to peace and security in Asia.

III. Confidence Building Measures

In the context of achieving CICA objectives, we will take the necessary steps for the elaboration and implementation of measures aimed at enhancing co-operation and creating an atmosphere of peace, confidence and friendship. Such measures should be in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, CICA, and international law. In doing so, we will take into account specific features and characteristics in various regions in Asia and proceed on a gradual and voluntary basis.
We encourage all states in the region having disputes to make efforts to solve their disputes peacefully through negotiations in accordance with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and international law. We recognise that the resolution of territorial and other disputes and implementation of arms control agreements may, depending upon specific situations, facilitate implementation of confidence building measures (CBMs); on the other hand, we also recognise that implementation of CBMs may, depending upon specific situations, facilitate, or create a conducive climate for, the resolution of disputes and arms control agreements.
We recognise that disarmament and arms control, universality of all internationally negotiated instruments on the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, promoting non-proliferation, have a significant role in enhancing confidence building among regional states. We affirm that being a State Party to the relevant internationally negotiated instruments should not be interpreted as affecting the inalienable right of all parties to those treaties to develop research, production and use of nuclear technology, chemical and biological materials and equipment for peaceful purposes in accordance with the provisions of these instruments. We reiterate the importance of negative security assurances to the non-nuclear-weapon states and express our readiness to consider further steps on this subject which could take the form of an internationally legally binding instrument.
The Member States will prepare with mutual agreement a "CICA Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures" and proceed on a gradual basis for its implementation. The Catalogue, which will be regularly reviewed and further developed, may include, among others, measures in the military-political, economic and environmental, humanitarian and cultural spheres.

IV. Structure and institutions of CICA

In order to facilitate its efficient functioning, we have decided to provide for CICA the necessary structure and institutions, consisting mainly of the following:

1. Regular meetings

The meetings of the Heads of State or Government will be convened every four years in order to conduct consultations, review the progress of, and set priorities for CICA activities. Special meetings may be convened as necessary by consensus. Summit meetings will be preceded by meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs will meet every two years. Their meetings will be the central forum for consultations and examination of all issues related to CICA activities. Special meetings may be convened as necessary by consensus.
The Committee of Senior Officials will meet at least once a year to follow-up on previous CICA decisions, carry out consultations on the current CICA issues, oversee the work of Special Working Groups and co-ordinate the work of other meetings. The Committee will also make the necessary preparations for the organisation of the Summit and ministerial meetings, including elaboration of draft documents.
Special Working Groups will be established to study specific issues relevant to CICA's areas of interest and to carry out the tasks mandated to them. They will submit the results of their work to the Committee of Senior Officials.

2. Specialised meetings

The Member States may agree to convene meetings of other ministers or of the competent national agencies and institutions in order to discuss issues of a specific and/or technical nature.

3. Academic and professional inputs

Opportunities will be provided as necessary for academic and professional inputs and reports, as well as assistance and contributions to publications which CICA may decide to produce.

4. Secretariat

In order to provide follow-up and administrative support for regular meetings and political consultations and other activities mentioned in the Almaty Act, we support the establishment of a Secretariat of the CICA. We task our Ministers of Foreign Affairs to finalise the elaboration of all aspects related to the establishment of the Secretariat.

II) DECLARATION ON ELIMINATING TERRORISM AND PROMOTING DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILIZATIONS

We, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), gathered in Almaty for the First CICA Summit, do hereby declare the following:

We are deeply concerned by the increase in all acts of terrorism worldwide, including in CICA Member States. We are fully committed to fighting terrorism and strengthening bilateral, regional and international cooperation, in accordance with the UN Charter, required to meet this challenge. We emphasize the central role of the United Nations, its General Assembly and Security Council, in developing the framework for this.

We express our deepest sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in all acts, methods or practices of terrorism and convey our sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims.

We condemn all forms and manifestations of terrorism, committed no matter when, where or by whom, as barbaric offences and criminal acts indiscriminately directed at the life and well-being of innocent individuals and peoples as well as threatening the peaceful coexistence among nations. No considerations whatsoever can be invoked to justify terrorism.

We are convinced that terrorism constitutes a direct violation of human rights and, in particular, the right to life, freedom, security and development.

We emphasize that eliminating terrorism is the common goal of all cultures and civilizations. We believe that all religions of the world reject violence and terrorism and advocate the protection of human rights.

We underline that terrorism cannot be attributed to religion, nationality, or civilization.

We believe that it is essential not to allow terrorists to lure us into a conflict of religions, cultures or civilizations. We also pledge to be particularly vigilant, in order to ensure that the global fight against terrorism does not become a war targeting particular cultures, religions or nations. We all stand united in this fight.

We reaffirm our strong commitment to all norms and principles of international law, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the right to self-determination, and the CICA Almaty Act concerning the maintenance of international peace and security and the promotion of good-neighbourly and friendly relations and cooperation among countries.

We actively support efforts undertaken by the international community, in accordance with UN Charter, to combat terrorism. The fight against terrorism should be global, comprehensive and sustained, and not selective or discriminatory and should avoid applying double standards. We are also against using the fight against terrorism as a pretext for interference in the internal affairs of sovereign States. We reject the use of force not in compliance with the UN Charter against sovereign States.

We reaffirm the key significance of, and pledge to fully support implementation of, UN Security Council Resolution No. 1373 and other relevant UN resolutions on combating terrorism which provide the basic framework for national, regional and international obligations and efforts to combat this universal evil.

We underscore the need to respect human rights and rule of law in combating terrorism.

We encourage States Parties to the various UN anti-terrorism Conventions to consult and cooperate, in accordance with the provisions of these Conventions, to ensure their effective implementation. We will contribute to the early elaboration and adoption by the UN of other appropriate instruments, such as the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

We are open for cooperation in combating terrorism with all other states, regional and international organizations and forums. Taking into account the trans-national character of terrorism, as well as its close links with other challenges and threats to security such as organized crime, narcotics and human trafficking as well as illicit arms trafficking, we will seek to foster cooperation between our relevant authorities and to maintain regular exchange of information in order to enhance international capacity to stop financing of terrorism and eliminate it.

We consider as one of the primary tasks of the international community to strengthen efforts to eliminate poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, extremism, intolerance, entrenched hatred and all forms of discrimination. We believe that it is necessary to ensure sustainable development of all regions of the world and to pay more attention to the socio-economic impact of globalization. It will also be of high importance for our cause to encourage the peaceful settlement of regional and international crises and conflicts.

We support international efforts for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan in order to help revive this country as a stable and prosperous member of the international community.

The CICA Member States intend to strengthen cooperation and dialogue among them in order to promote common values, mutual understanding and confidence for the benefit of the joint fight against terrorism.

We consider CICA as a unique Asian forum which comprises states of different cultures and traditions making it one of the most important mechanisms to promote dialogue among civilizations and cultures. In this context, we reconfirm our full support for the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/56/6 on Dialogue among Civilizations and are convinced that implementation of its Programme of Action positively contributes to international efforts to attain universal peace, welfare and stability. The CICA Member States intend to comprehensively and actively promote such a dialogue taking into account that Eurasia has not only been a cradle of some of the world's largest civilizations but has also served as a bridge between them.