The participating countries of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) must face the challenges together and ensure a better future for Asia and the whole world, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video statement to the participants of the 6th Summit of CICA in Astana.
"Over the past 30 years, CICA has grown into a vital platform for dialogue within countries across Asia. We all benefit from a peaceful and prosperous Asia. I am grateful for our partnership in pursuits of our shared goals - advancing sustainable development, promoting human rights, peace, stability, and strengthening multilateral cooperation," he said.
"The climate crisis is wrecking evoke on lives and livelihoods everywhere. COVID-19 continues to cast a long. The cost of living crisis hits the most vulnerable, deepening poverty and hunger and fueling social and political unrest. In this extremely challenging context, regional efforts to build trust and confidence are more essential than ever," Guterres stressed.
He emphasized that in his report entitled "Our common agenda", he called for creating a new agenda for the world that pays special attention to regional prevention and interaction with regional organizations.