BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 16. The work being
carried out to promote the institutional development of the
Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia
(CICA) during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship in 2024–2026, including
efforts to expand cooperation among member states and enhance the
practical effectiveness of the organization’s activities, was
discussed.
This was stated in a press release regarding the meeting between
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and CICA
Secretary-General Kairat Sarybay, published on October 16.
During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the outcomes
of the 7th CICA Summit, held on October 15 in Baku; activities
carried out under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship; the organization’s
priorities for the coming period; and its institutional
development.
The importance of the successful holding of the 7th Summit under
Azerbaijan’s chairmanship for strengthening dialogue, mutual
understanding, and trust in Asia was emphasized. Confidence was
expressed that the summit’s outcomes will contribute to
strengthening the CICA’s activities, expanding cooperation among
member states, and promoting joint approaches to addressing common
challenges.
The parties noted the importance of the agreements reached in
the summit’s final documents in defining the organization’s future
directions and enhancing its practical effectiveness.
The meeting also highlighted Azerbaijan’s experience in
multilateral diplomacy and its successful chairmanship of
international organizations. It was noted that the country’s
chairmanship of CICA is aimed at enhancing the organization’s
international role and prestige, expanding opportunities for
cooperation among member states, and promoting confidence-building
measures.
The discussion touched on the work carried out during
Azerbaijan’s chairmanship to accelerate CICA’s institutional
development, improve the effectiveness of its activities, and
expand its practical benefits for member states. Particular
attention was paid to developing cooperation in the fields of
education, the empowerment of women, youth, the media, and
transportation links, as well as to the platforms established in
these areas.
In addition, it was noted that the initiatives being implemented
contribute to the exchange of experiences among member states, the
strengthening of mutual understanding, and the creation of concrete
opportunities for cooperation.
Kairat Sarybay expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani side
for organizing the 7th CICA High-Level Summit and for its
contribution to the organization’s activities during Azerbaijan’s
Chairmanship. He also thanked Azerbaijan for the support it has
provided over the past six years of his tenure as Secretary
General.
The Secretary General emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan’s
chairmanship for the development of the CICA, the expansion of
cooperation within the organization, and the strengthening of trust
among member states. He expressed confidence that efforts to
strengthen the organization’s activities would continue in the
coming period and wished the new Secretary General, Sultan Hajiyev,
success in his future endeavors.
Jeyhun Bayramov, in turn, thanked Kairat Sarybay for his work
and wished him success in his future professional endeavors.
The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues
of mutual interest.
