Baku, 8–11 September 2025 – The Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, paid a working visit to Baku to participate in the 13th meeting of the CICA Think Tank Forum, Baku Water Week, and a series of high-level consultations.
At the 13th Think Tank Forum, a landmark address by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev, was presented, outlining the vision and priorities of Azerbaijan’s CICA Chairmanship. The President emphasized the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, advance collective action on climate change, and foster the institutional development of CICA into a more effective platform for dialogue and collaboration.
In his intervention, the Secretary General highlighted the role of the think tank community in supporting CICA’s transformation into a full-fledged international organization and drew attention to new institutional initiatives such as the CICA Finance Summit and Women Council.
The Forum further underscored regional connectivity as a central pillar of Asia’s collective development. Participants stressed that building sustainable supply chains, strengthening transport corridors, and fostering renewable energy cooperation are essential to promoting resilient trade networks and inclusive, green economic growth. For the first time, the Think Tank Forum convened outside China, marking a milestone in its institutional evolution, and announced the Indian Council of World Affairs as the next Chair for 2026–2027.
During Baku Water Week, Ambassador Sarybay spoke at the panel session “Water Diplomacy: Cooperation Beyond Borders”, underlining the growing importance of water diplomacy for confidence building and regional cooperation among CICA Member States. Secretary General stressed that water is no longer only a resource sustaining life, economies, and ecosystems, but has become a key test of diplomacy.
The Secretary General also highlighted recent milestones, including the Ministerial Conference on Environmental Issues in Astana in August 2024 and the side-event on Water Security and Climate Resilience held in Dushanbe in May 2025. These initiatives, he noted, reinforced by the groundbreaking outcomes of COP29 under Azerbaijan’s leadership, provide a solid foundation for advancing joint action on climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable water management. He further underlined the constructive role of the Think Tank Forum, Youth Council and volunteer movement leaders in mobilizing expertise and fostering youth engagement, thereby broadening participation beyond the governmental level.
Throughout his visit, Ambassador Sarybay held consultations with senior Azerbaijani officials. In a meeting with H.E. Araz Azimov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, he commended Azerbaijan’s active Chairmanship and the progress achieved on the draft regulations of the Women Council and Finance Summit, while discussing forthcoming steps for their implementation, as well as preparatory work for the upcoming Ministerial Council Meeting on the margins of the 80th session of UNGA. He expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s financial contribution, the secondment of diplomats, and its support in enhancing CICA’s new headquarters.
In talks with H.E. Khalaf Khalafov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan, the Secretary General welcomed the successful conclusion of the first round of Charter discussions, noting it as a critical step in CICA’s institutional transformation, with Azerbaijan’s role being highly valued.
Ambassador Sarybay also met with Ms. Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs, to review draft regulations of the CICA Women Council ahead of the Ministerial Council Meeting.
Additionally, Ambassador Sarybay held discussions with Dr. Kirill Babaev, Director of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, to outline future intersessional activities under the Think Tank Forum.
The visit underscored significant progress in CICA’s institutional development and strengthened momentum for enhanced cooperation.
