Iran's Raisi: Regional multilateralism future of region, world

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
31 May 2023 10:15

Iran's President believes the CICA, established by Kazakhstan in 1992, holds enough power and capacities that can be put toward enhancing interaction among its members to strengthen multilateralism.

President Ebrahim Raisi in a televised interview at the presidency office in Tehran, Iran, on September 4, 2021. (AP)

After convening with the visiting Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Kairat Sarybay, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi highlighted the ongoing decline in unilateralism on the international stage and the rise of multilateralism.

He said: "With the [ongoing] decline of unilateralism in the world, it is [rather] the countries of the region and regional organizations that determine the future of [both] the region and the world."

According to Raisi, the CICA, established by Kazakhstan in 1992, holds power and capacities that can be put towards enhancing interaction among its members. The organization serves as an inter-governmental forum aiming to enhance the promotion of peace, security, and stability in Asia.

CICA members include Russia, China, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.

Raisi further emphasized the need for sustainable communication among the CICA member states, expressing hope that their contribution and expansion of activities would further strengthen the body's standing.

He also demonstrated Iran's readiness to share experiences with other CICA members in the fields of science and technology, economic development, and fighting terrorism and organized crime, while stressing the significance of reinforcing intra-regional corridors.

One of the themes at the CICA back in October was terrorism, specifically in Afghanistan, whereby Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labeled ISIS leaders, in addition to those of other groups Turkey deems terrorist, as threats to the world.

Sarybay praised Iran's role in hosting CICA's various events that concern economic development and fighting terrorism, as he hailed its progress as well in the fields of science and technology.

Additionally, Sarybay expressed joy at the news of CICA members establishing a fund to aid the body's constituent states and enhance interaction, voicing gratitude for Iran's contribution.