Bangkok, 25–27 February 2026 – The Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), H.E. Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, conducted a series of high-level meetings in the Kingdom of Thailand, reinforcing strategic partnerships at a pivotal stage of CICA’s institutional transformation and advancing practical cooperation across the Asian continent.
The Secretary General was received by H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand. Ambassador Sarybay expressed sincere appreciation for Thailand’s steady and principled engagement in the CICA process. He underscored the importance of Member States’ ownership amid transition toward a full-fledged international organization, including through voluntary financial contributions to the CICA Fund and the Secretariat, which will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary this June. Secretary General also thanked Minister for the donation of the “Suphannahong” Royal Barge replica that is now proudly displayed at the CICA Headquarters.
Mr. Phuangketkeow was briefed on the priorities of the Azerbaijani Chairmanship under the motto “Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalization, and Sustainable Growth in Asia,” as well as on the ongoing negotiations on the draft CICA Charter, expected to become a landmark outcome of the 7th CICA Summit in Baku in October 2026. In this regard, the Minister conveyed his best wishes to the Azerbaijani Chairmanship for the successful organization of the Leaders’ Meeting and reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to make a constructive contribution to its positive outcome.
Particular attention was devoted to further expanding Thailand’s engagement in confidence-building measures, sectoral cooperation and newly established advisory bodies — including the Partnership Network of Leading Universities, the Women Council and the Finance Summit — as well as to enhancing synergies between CICA and regional organizations such as ASEAN, BIMSTEC and ACD.
In light of these discussions, Minister Phuangketkeow underscored the importance of upholding international law and preserving the integrity of multilateral institutions amid growing geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty. He described CICA as an inclusive platform for confidence building and mutually beneficial cooperation.
During consultations with H.E. Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Secretary General emphasized the growing depth and substance of cooperation between the two Secretariats. The discussion focused on preparations for the 82nd Session of ESCAP in Baku, where CICA intends to convene a dedicated side-event highlighting its achievements in the economic and human dimensions and advancing the Azerbaijani Chairmanship’s priorities. Both sides explored avenues for elevating inter-secretariat cooperation to a new level, including the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding and the development of joint project-based initiatives, notably in the field of transport connectivity through dry ports and intermodal integration, potentially supported by the CICA Fund. Climate diplomacy, sustainable development, volunteerism and inclusive growth were identified as natural areas of convergence.
In an exchange with Ms. Delphine Schantz, Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the Secretary General highlighted the strong alignment between CICA’s Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures and UNODC’s mandate in addressing new challenges and threats. Discussions centered on combating transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking, terrorism, cybercrime, trafficking in persons and money laundering. Particular attention was paid to the growing scale of online scams. Recalling the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2017, both sides agreed on the importance of reinvigorating cooperation on a pan-Asian scale, expanding engagement beyond Central Asia and strengthening practical interaction through expert exchanges, training activities and participation in regional initiatives.
In focused discussions with with Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), the Secretary General encouraged renewed project-based cooperation in support of CICA’s development agenda. He presented the evolving portfolio of the CICA Fund, including its first successfully completed project in Afghanistan and several new initiatives under preparation in the areas of governance capacity-building, climate action, youth empowerment and trade development. The two sides discussed the potential for leveraging Thailand’s development cooperation expertise, including through in-kind contributions and capacity-building support, to enhance the operationalization of the Fund and strengthen the Secretariat’s institutional capacity.
The Secretariat also participated in 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development and delivered a statement on CICA’s contribution to transformative, equitableand coordinated action in support of 2030 Agenda, outlining CICA’s institutional mechanisms, upcoming initiatives and prospects for cooperation and synergies with ESCAP to advance sustainable development across the region.
The Bangkok engagements of the CICA Secretary General further consolidated momentum ahead of the 7th CICA Summit in Baku and reaffirmed the importance of principled multilateral cooperation, strengthened inter-institutional linkages and practical sectoral initiatives in addressing shared regional challenges.
