I am pleased to convey my greetings to the fifth Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building in Asia (CICA). I would like to express my gratitude to the host, His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of China, and chair of CICA.

I would also like to recognize President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, who first proposed the creation of CICA almost twenty-five years ago.

Today, CICA represents every region of the vast Asian continent. It enjoys close contacts with the United Nations, as well as a range of international and regional organizations.

Your organization is well positioned to play an ever vital role on the world stage, bringing together a vast array of countries to work together for the common good – including the recently adopted 2030 Development Agenda and the new Sustainable Development Goals.

I also acknowledge the contributions of CICA to advance international efforts to defeat the scourge of terrorism.  In January, I presented to the General Assembly a Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, inviting Member States to develop a National Plan that engages key communities and focuses on conflict prevention. I also commend the timely theme of your meeting: “promoting security through dialogue”.

It is my sincere hope that your deliberations today will represent a step forward in  advancing peace, development and human rights, not only in Asia but around the world.  I wish you every success.