Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) has a vital role to play and can render yeoman service under the current circumstances to all its Member and Observer States, when CICA Executive Director Kairat Sarybay paid a courtesy call on the Minister in New York.
Minister Prof. Peiris emphasised that the work of the CICA should be guided by its common objectives with focus being on the major challenges faced by its membership. The Government is committed to support the organisation and believes that the CICA will offer the world many useful insights. The Minister also highlighted that all 27 Member States have robust institutions and sharing experiences and expertise will be an advantage as the world endeavours to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cooperation in infrastructure, education, vocational training, environmental issues, mitigating rural poverty, value-added exports and renewable energy are areas that the CICA could vigorously pursue, the Foreign Minister said. He acknowledged that economic development at the cost of the environment is not sustainable and outlined the steps taken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to promote a green economy with the shift from chemical based fertilizers to organic ones. Minister Prof. Peiris also said that while it is important for countries to increase their GDP, it should be done in a manner that ensures equitable distribution and trickle down that the benefits to all communities, in particular the rural communities.
Executive Director Sarybay briefed the Minister on the activities of the CICA and outlined its plans to establish a Council of Eminent Persons and the arrangements being made for the Ministerial meeting next month. He said that the CICA will do its utmost to build confidence among the Member States. He said that this will lead to greater dialogue and cooperation resulting in enhanced development and security in the region. He appreciated the leading role played by Sri Lanka in offering expertise, particularly in the tourism sector at senior officials meetings, interactive sessions and other activities organised by the CICA.
The CICA was set up in 1992 and it is a multi-national forum for enhancing cooperation towards promoting peace, security and stability in Asia. It comprises 27 Member States, nine Observer States and five Observer Organisations. Sri Lanka gained CICA Observer status in 2012 and full membership in 2018.
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