Istanbul Process

The Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process aims at promoting and strengthening peace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan and in the region through confidence building and enhancing regional cooperation among 15 countries of the Heart of Asia Region. The HoA-IP has become one of the most interactive voluntary state-groupings in the HoA Region. It brings Afghanistan's immediate and extended neighbors as well as international supporters together through the following focus areas:

1. Political Consultations
2. Implementation of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs)
3. Cooperation with Regional Organizations

De-Facto Secretariat of the Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process: The Directorate General for Regional Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan is acting as the de facto Secretariat of the Process.

Permanent Chair

•  Afghanistan

Previous Chairs

•  Turkey
•  Kazakhstan
•  China
•  Pakistan
•  India
•  Azerbaijan
•  Turkey}}

The geographical area covering the 15 Participating Countries of the HoA-IP is defined as the Heart of Asia Region. It is one of the biggest regions in the world with a collective geographical area of more than 40 million km² covering around 27% of the land area of the Earth.

The Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process is based on three main areas of cooperation: Political Consultations, Confidence Building Measures, and Cooperation with Regional Organizations.

The Heart of Asia – Istanubl Process is comprised of four main decision making authorities: the Ministerial Conferences (MCs) the highest level, the Senior Officials Meetings (SOMs), Ambassadorial Meetings (AMs), and Regional Technical Groups (RTGs) Meetings.

Senior Official Meetings are held as deemed necessary. Usually, three to four SOMs take place each year. The first SOM of the year sets the theme. The other two SOMs are held to continue political consultations, review the progress of the CBMs and to finalize the Ministerial Declaration. Political consultations on regional issues within the Heart of Asia Region takes place during SOMs. SOMs directly influence and shape the discourse and agenda of the MC, and have decision-making authority. SOMs also serve as an important platform, where [Participating Countries], [Supporting Countries] and Regional and [International Organizations] engage with one another.

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Ambassadorial Meetings (AMs) are mostly held in Kabul. They are held on an ad hoc basis, as the Permanent Chair, Afghanistan, deems necessary. They serve as an initial consultation to highlight a set of issues that are either of particular significance or require urgent attention. AMs are held in order to have an initial discussion with the Participating Countries before taking on the issue to the Senior Officials level. AMs are also held to do some initial work on behalf of Senior Officials on a particular issue dealing with any of the CBMs.[17]

At the Regional Technical Group Meetings, technical delegates or experts of the HoA Region come together to discuss important measures needed for the successful implementation of the CBMs. According to Article 25 of the Beijing Declaration 2014, the lead countries of the CBMs should convene at least two RTGs each year. One RTG Meeting is supposed to take place within two months of each MC and the second no later than four months prior to the following MC. At the first RTG Meeting of the year, the activities for the coming year are identified and prioritized. The second RTG Meeting of the year serves to review progress.[18]

Since its establishment, the Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process has demonstrated its ability to bolster consensus on the political, security and economic fronts amongst the HoA-IP Participating and Supporting Countries and Supporting Organizations. The element of political consultations, through the Ministerial Conferences, Senior Officials Meetings, and Ambassadorial Meetings, has been dynamic, inclusive, and productive. However, this element requires furtherinvigoration to become more result-oriented by addressing the obstacles to the political, security and economic cooperation. The thematic Confidence Building Measures are major areas that offer the potential to address some of the entrenched issues that Afghanistan and the Heart of Asia Region face. In order to eliminate these obstacles, there needs to be an effective implementation of all CBMs. Effective implementations require an understanding of the dynamics and purpose of each CBM, which is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan recently (2019) revised the Implementation Plans of all seven CBMs. The new Implementation Plans are more focused towards specific activities that the lead countries of each CBM must carry out for better cooperation in the region. It is important to note that the Regional Technical Group Meetings aim to strengthen cooperation in each CBM's thematic area and work towards implementation of activities set in the Implementation Plans. Lastly, cooperation with regional organizations remains vital to the success of the Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process. Simultaneously, the HoA-IP can offer to serve as a focal point connecting preeminent regional organizations with each other. Furthermore, the Process can also complement the work of these regional organizations and be a platform for synergy between the regional organizations. The Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process has achieved a great deal in the past 9 years, since its establishment. Through the three elements of Political Consultations, Confidence Building Measures, and Cooperation with Regional Organizations, the Process has served as a platform bringing countries in the Heart of Asia Region together to jointly address common challenges and realize shared interests. [19]

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