Phnom Penh, Cambodia – 26 April 2024 – Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Kairat Sarybay, concluded a successful visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia on April 26, 2024. He engaged in a series of high-level meetings aimed at fostering closer cooperation and dialogue between CICA and Cambodia.
The visit commenced with a cordial meeting between Secretary General Sarybay and Sok Soken, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia. Discussions centered around the pivotal role of tourism in promoting people-to-people contacts, particularly among youth, and its significant contribution to economic growth across Asia. The parties agreed to explore possible projects in touristic sphere that would enhance confidence building among CICA countries.
A pivotal meeting took place at the Peace Palace, where Secretary General Sarybay met with Sok Siphana, Senior Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia and nominee to the CICA Eminent Persons Council. The discussions highlighted the importance of deeper involvement and collaboration between Cambodia and CICA, focusing on concrete Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and the speedy ratification of the 2010 Convention on Privileges and Immunities by the Kingdom. Furthermore, Minister Siphana expressed his support to a greater role of Asian Vision Institute in the intersessional activities of the CICA Think Tank Forum.
Secretary General Sarybay also held constructive consultations with Khy Sovanratana, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia. The two sides went through a range of topical issues on CICA’s agenda and emphasized Cambodia's positive approach towards its transformation and expansion of Kingdom’s profile within the Conference.
In addition, Secretary General Sarybay engaged in fruitful discussions with Heng Sokkung, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation, exploring how CICA and its Business Council can be employed for collaboration in promoting sustainable economic development of Member States and Asia, with a particular focus on the backbone role of small and medium enterprises, as well as new technologies and digital innovations. Secretary General encouraged Cambodian counterparts to be more engaged in relevant CICA activities.
Moreover, Secretary General Sarybay met with Lim Chek, Under Secretary-General of the National Youth Development Council of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport of Cambodia, to discuss Cambodia's latest projects for youth and volunteers. Secretary General Sarybay expressed interest in Cambodia's initiatives and invited the country to share its best practices with other CICA Member States at the 7th Youth Council Meeting, and the Rally of Volunteer Movement Leaders under the auspices of the Council to be held in Astana later this year.
In his interactions with Cambodian officials, Secretary General Sarybay reiterated CICA's commitment to promoting peace, security, and cooperation in the Asian region. He expressed gratitude for Cambodia's positive engagement and affirmed CICA's readiness to support Cambodia in its endeavors towards regional stability and prosperity.
Such visits to the CICA capitals by the Secretary General continue serving the purpose of intensifying countries’ involvement in various CICA mechanisms and the implementation of Confidence Building Measures, as well as for better understanding of their approaches toward ongoing CICA transformation.
