BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 15. Strengthening
ties will contribute to sustainable development throughout Asia,
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said during his address at the
7th CICA Summit in Baku on Thursday, Trend's correspondent reports from the
event.


Furthermore, Hakan Fidan emphasized that sustainable development
also requires measures to address environmental issues. Türkiye
continues to lead the way in combating the effects of climate
change.


He noted that Türkiye wants this summit to serve as an
opportunity to strengthen climate justice, sustainable development,
and people-centered transformation.


“We call for high-level participation by all stakeholders at the
upcoming leaders’ summit. Today’s escalating crises are creating
uncertainty on the international stage. Finding collective
solutions to our shared challenges is more important than ever, and
the greatest obstacle to these much-needed multilateral actions is
the lack of trust among international actors.


As a solution, our priority is to build a culture of dialogue to
strengthen mutual trust by improving cooperation based on regional
responsibility,” he said.


Meanwhile, the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction
and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is taking place in
Baku under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship.


The summit will review the progress made in the CICA
transformation process, which began in 2022, as well as the results
of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship in strengthening the organization and
promoting practical cooperation among member states.


The summit is attended by heads of state and government, as well
as delegations from CICA member states, observer states, observer
organizations, and partner entities.


The summit presents an important opportunity to discuss issues
of dialogue and confidence-building among member states in a
complex international environment characterized by intensifying
interstate tensions, escalating conflicts, and the emergence of new
hotspots of tension, including in Asia.


One of the summit’s most significant outcomes is considered to
be the admission of Laos into the CICA as a new member. The event
will also be marked by the adoption of documents aimed at
intensifying activities within the CICA and improving cooperation
in specific areas.


Guided by the motto “Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalization
and Sustainable Growth in Asia,” Azerbaijan promoted dialogue and
results-oriented cooperation during its chairmanship from 2024 to
2026.


The Baku Declaration is expected to be the summit’s main
political document. In it, Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the CICA
will receive the approval of all member states, and the initiatives
put forward and activities carried out over the past two years in
various areas will be welcomed. The document will also contain
specific provisions regarding the strengthening of the
international order and ways to counter risks in the
military-political, economic, environmental, and other spheres.


The Baku Declaration will place special emphasis on promoting
tolerance and intercultural dialogue, advancing the use of science,
education, and innovation in the interests of security and
well-being, as well as the opportunities and risks associated with
the development of artificial intelligence.

In addition to the Baku Declaration, the summit also plans to adopt
a separate statement on occupational safety and health.