DOCUMENT No. 16
Almaty
Act June
4, 2002
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 Committee 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 cooperation
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.
Recognizing 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 recognize
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 cooperation 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 organizations.
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 globalization as a challenge of
our time. While it could offer certain opportunities for growth and development,
at present the benefits of globalization 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 coordinated 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 realization 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 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 recognize the necessity to curb excessive and destabilizing accumulation
of conventional armaments. We emphasize 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 emphasize 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 rights 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 (SLAWs) 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 cooperate on bilateral as well as multilateral basis to combat terrorism
including its possible sources of financing and providing manpower for terrorist
activities. We regard as criminal all acts and methods and practices of terrorism
and declare our determination to cooperate on bilateral as well as multi lateral
basis to combat terrorism including its possible sources. In 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 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 relations, 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 emphasize
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 recognize 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 Fire
Arms Protocol reached in the framework of the UN Convention against Trans-national
Organized 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, ClCA, 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 recognize 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. W e 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 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 and 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 organization 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.
Specialized 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 with CICA may decide
to produce.
4.
Secretariat
In
order to provide follow up and administrative for regular meetings and political
consultations and other activities 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.
Done
in Almaty, June 4, 2002
http://www.meadev.nic.in/foreign/almaty-act.htm
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