Strengthening Connectivity Between Central and South Asia

A/RES/76/295View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda item 20 Sustainable development, published in 2022.

What subjects does this mandate have?

3 subjects

Central Asia Regional Cooperation South Asia

What’s in this document?

17 operative paragraphs

Reaffirms that regional cooperation is an effective form of multilateralism and international cooperation contributing to the promotion of the purposes and principles of the United Nations;

Recognizes the importance of cooperation in establishing safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport networks supported by inclusive and sustainable industrialization and information technologies with a view to achieving transport connectivity across Central and South Asia that is economically, socially and environmentally viable and financially sustainable, and is resilient to unexpected emergencies;

Emphasizes the importance of effective border management in promoting connectivity among the countries and the role of international cooperation in this regard;

Encourages the continuation and advancement of cooperation between Central and South Asia by expanding transport and information and communications technologies infrastructure and creating new international transport corridors that open convenient, sustainable, commercially viable, affordable, accessible, inclusive and safe routes to seaports;

Recognizes the importance of Afghanistan’s potential role in connecting Central and South Asia, as well as its economic development and integration into interregional economic processes for lasting peace and stability;

Also recognizes the importance of multimodal transport for connectivity of Central and South Asia, and in this context encourages the development of interoperability of infrastructure to enhance air, land and sea connectivity among countries;

Stresses the need to promote cooperation between civil aviation authorities in the regions for enhancing regional connectivity and economic cooperation;

Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Road map for digital cooperation”,³ which calls for every person to have safe and affordable access to the Internet by 2030, including meaningful use of digitally enabled services, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, and in this regard recognizes the importance of coordination among the countries of Central and South Asia on the widespread introduction of digital economy, connectivity infrastructure and platforms through information and communications technologies;

³A/74/821.

Notes the contribution of mutual exchange and learning through experience between Central and South Asia in the study, preservation and strengthening of their tangible and intangible cultural heritage for the popularization of the richness of historical and cultural contacts between the two regions;

Emphasizes the importance of developing potential tourist routes covering the historical and cultural centres of the Central and South Asian States;

Supports the efforts of Central and South Asia to further strengthen relationships between the regions and their people, including in the fields of education, science and technology, innovation, tourism, culture, art and sports;

Recognizes the importance of energy connectivity between Central and South Asia;

Emphasizes the importance of the exchange of experience on voluntary and mutually agreed terms between Central and South Asia in promoting sustainable development, including through access to clean energy technology and disaster risk reduction strategies, and enhancing cooperation, including through initiatives that address environmental challenges and contribute to the protection of the environment and ecosystems, while ensuring social and environmental safeguards;

Commits to enhancing the role of sustainable transport in job creation, mobility facilitation and improvement of the efficiency of logistics chains in connecting people and communities, particularly people in vulnerable situations, thus providing all with equal opportunities and leaving no one behind;

Recognizes the significant potential of regional economic integration and interconnectivity to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development, commits to strengthening regional cooperation and regional trade agreements, reaffirms the importance of strengthening coherence and consistency among bilateral and regional trade and investment agreements and ensuring that they are compatible with World Trade Organization rules, and encourages multilateral development banks, including regional banks, in collaboration with other stakeholders, to address gaps in trade, transport and transit-related regional infrastructure, including completing missing links connecting landlocked developing countries, least developed countries and small island developing States within regional networks to ensure quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient connectivity;

Reaffirms the interests of Central and South Asia to continue to work on the development of regional connectivity to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;⁴

⁴Resolution 70/1.

Invites Member States to consolidate their efforts in the fight against common challenges and threats to stability and security in Central and South Asia.

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

What subjects does this mandate have?

What’s in this document?

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