By. Zaman Bajwa
In the post-Cold War era, there has been a notable emphasis on studying and evaluating
international and regional organizations. Such organizations have the potential to address the
security threats faced by their member states and to promote the development of
underprivileged regions. Additionally, by increasing trade volumes, member states can become
mutually interdependent, which can in turn facilitate the resolution of outstanding conflicts.
This is particularly important, as unresolved conflicts can hinder not only the economic
development of member states but also that of the wider region. The member states of CICA
are currently grappling with various challenges, including extremism, economic difficulties,
insurgencies, a lack of cooperation, and longstanding conflicts that have the potential to
escalate into armed conflict.
Regional bodies promote integration and help achieve foreign policy goals. The 21st
century has seen the rise of "regionalism" in global politics, with a focus on trade and markets.
Economic issues are paramount, but strategic and military concerns also play a role. Churchill's Iron Curtain speech delayed Asian cooperation during the Cold War. Power struggles persist in Asia, but the region has experienced resurgence, contributing substantially to the world's GDP.
Asian states are creating their organization, inspired by the EU's progress.
The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) wields a
significant influence in the domain of regional security and peace-building, through the prism of
complex interdependence and liberal institutionalism theory. The intergovernmental forum,
which consists of 27 member states, is dedicated to fortifying confidence and instilling a spirit
of dialogue amongst nations in Asia. Its primary objective is to cultivate trust among member
states, by fostering a conducive environment for effective and fruitful discussions. CICA's
importance is underscored by its significant contributions to regional peace and stability. The
organization provides a platform for member states to engage in meaningful deliberations on
crucial security concerns, such as the advocacy of nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament, and
confidence-boosting measures. The organization also encourages cooperation on issues related
to terrorism, extremism, and transnational crime.
The role of Kazakhstan's first President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, was also crucial in the
formation of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). In
1992, President Nazarbayev supported the proposal to create the CICA, and Kazakhstan hosted
the first CICA meeting in Almaty that same year. The organization's founding was based on the
principles of the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter, which emphasized the importance of
dialogue, cooperation, and confidence-building among nations. As the host country of the first
CICA meeting, Kazakhstan played a significant role in shaping the agenda of the organization
and ensuring its success. In subsequent years, Kazakhstan continued to play an active role in
promoting the goals and objectives of the CICA. In 2002, the second CICA summit was held in
Almaty, which resulted in the adoption of the Almaty Act on the Achievement of the Goals of
the CICA, reaffirming the commitment of member states to the principles of the organization.
The CICA has provided a platform for Asian nations to engage in constructive dialogue and
build mutual trust and confidence. For example, the CICA has hosted regular meetings and
discussions among member states to address key security issues, such as terrorism and regional
conflicts. The CICA has worked closely with member states to develop effective strategies to
counter the threat of terrorism and promote regional security. For example, the CICA has
facilitated the exchange of information and intelligence among member states to enhance
cooperation in this area. The CICA has supported global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear
weapons and promote the elimination of existing nuclear arsenals. For example, the
organization has encouraged member states to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test
Ban Treaty (CTBT). The CICA has also worked towards promoting confidence-building measures
in this area, such as the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia.
The CICA has helped to facilitate dialogue and cooperation among member states to
address the issue of transnational crime. For example, the organization has launched initiatives
to combat drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime. The CICA has played a key role in
facilitating conflict resolution and preventing the escalation of violence in the region. For
example, the organization has helped to facilitate peace talks between warring factions in
Afghanistan and has also contributed to the resolution of conflicts in other parts of the region.
CICA has limited involvement in Pakistan and India relations, but its platform has enabled
dialogue and confidence-building. In 2015, the two countries had their first high-level meeting
at the CICA summit in Beijing. CICA's emphasis on trust and cooperation in Asia can indirectly
reduce tensions and promote regional stability.
From a theoretical lens, there are certain limitations of this infant organization that require
reforms such as CICA's lack of a clear mandate and limited resources. The organization does not have the mandate to intervene directly in the bilateral conflicts of its member states. This
means that it can only provide a platform for dialogue and confidence-building, but it cannot
take concrete actions to resolve conflicts. As an intergovernmental forum, CICA's mandate is
relatively broad and lacks a clear mechanism for implementing policies and initiatives.
Additionally, the organization's limited financial resources have made it difficult to effectively
implement its programs and projects. Finally, CICA is still a relatively new organization, and it
may take some time to establish its credibility and effectiveness in the region.
In a nutshell, CICA is the future of Asia as it is playing an eminent role in promoting peace
and security through its focus on building trust and promoting dialogue among member states.
While it has faced limitations in its mandate and resources, the organization has made valuable
contributions to regional stability and security. By promoting cooperation on key security issues
and providing a platform for engagement and dialogue, CICA has the potential to further
enhance regional security and contribute to the broader global peace and security agenda.
(The writer is Executive Director of Islamabad based Rights Group YFK and Freelance Journalist. He tweets @Zamanbajwaa)
