Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed the joint development of a transport connectivity strategy within the CICA framework.
Modern.az reports that Tokayev said this at the plenary session of the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
He stated that the region, located at the crossroads of Eurasia, has extensive transport and connectivity opportunities.
According to Tokayev, common corridors are one of the most effective means of building long-term trust between states.
The President of Kazakhstan noted that highways, railways, and seaports connect the economies and peoples of countries.
Tokayev emphasized that they see the results of far-sighted leadership in the South Caucasus and welcomed the reconciliation process forming between Azerbaijan and Armenia. According to him, after decades of confrontation, the rapprochement between the two countries opens new opportunities and creates new prospects for connections between East and West.
The President of Kazakhstan stated that with its strong political will and extensive economic potential, CICA has the capacity to support large cross-border projects.
According to Tokayev, the proposed strategy will help explore the potential of the region's main international transport routes. These routes include the "Belt and Road" initiative, the North-South International Transport Corridor, the Middle Corridor, and the TRIPP initiative.
The President of Kazakhstan also stated that energy security faces serious threats and disruptions in supply chains are becoming more frequent.
Tokayev also proposed the creation of a water cooperation platform among CICA countries. Tokayev emphasized that the water resources and ecology of the Caspian Sea must be protected through joint efforts for the sea to remain a space of peace and cooperation for the well-being of the region's countries and other peoples. The President of Kazakhstan noted that the ecological direction of CICA is becoming increasingly relevant. According to him, water scarcity and ecosystem degradation are among Asia's most serious problems. Tokayev stated that 60 percent of the world's population lives in the Asia-Pacific region, but only 35 percent of the world's water resources fall to this region. For this reason, the region has the lowest per capita water resources in the world.
The President of Kazakhstan emphasized the importance of water always remaining a source of cooperation and proposed the creation of a Water Partnership platform within CICA. He noted that the initiative will serve to promote technology exchange, joint research, and the implementation of water-saving solutions.
