Distinguished media representatives, honourable heads of delegation, ladies and gentlemen!
I express my sincere gratitude to the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan for hosting such an important gathering and inviting the Secretary General of CICA!
In an era of geopolitical turbulence, the transformation of international relations and environmental and technological challenges, it is the media that serve as the primary interpreters of unfolding events. It is not merely a tool for communicating facts. The media play a primordial role in political and public dialogue, acting as an intermediary between the state and society and, to a certain extent, as a co-author of the global agenda.
This is especially valuable when covering the activities of international organizations. Thanks to you, our voices are heard, initiatives are understood and goals are supported. Informing is no longer simply about reporting; it is about a new-generation diplomacy.
Through the media, the public learns about the activities of multilateral entities such as the UN and CICA, which have a direct impact on security, sustainable development, economic cooperation and humanitarian relations among nations. Impartial and professional coverage of their work helps form a culture of international dialogue, raises awareness and builds confidence in multilateral formats of interaction.
The theme of today's Forum is “Central Asia in the Era of Global Challenges.” In fact, we have been challenged by continuous changes for over three centuries. Throughout this time, the region has experienced large-scale political, economic and social transformations. At the same time, in the early 1990s, after gaining independence, the Central Asian countries faced a truly historic challenge: not only to build new nation states, but also to lay the foundations for regional interaction based on the principles of trust and mutual support.
It was during this period that the idea of collective security as a key prerequisite for the sustainable development of the Central Asian states took shape. As you know, Kazakhstan initiated the establishment of the Conference at that time, and the Central Asian countries unanimously supported this move. The CICA concept prioritizes dialogue over confrontation and cooperation over isolation. This initiative aims to steer the region onto a sustainable development trajectory. We must be frank: Central Asia was not simply involved in the establishment of the Conference; Central Asia laid its foundation.
CICA currently comprises 28 Member States that represent the full spectrum of Asia’s diversity – linguistic, cultural, religious and political. Despite our differences, we, accounting for nearly 90% of the Asian continent, are united in our commitment to dialogue, security and common development, rooted in sovereign equality, inclusiveness and consensus.
In addition to that, Central Asia is instrumental in shaping the pan-Asian security architecture, serving as its core link – a role supported by the region’s strategic geographical location. Today, Central Asia not only helps define the agenda but also offers various formats of cooperation that serve as a benchmark for other regions. We have already mentioned the historic meeting in Khujand, where the heads of state of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan determined the junction point of their state borders. This was preceded by a challenging yet constructive process of border delimitation between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. I would like to express my appreciation to my colleagues who have injected new momentum into the peaceful development of Central Asia.
The consolidation of efforts among Central Asian states in recent years has sparked renewed interest from global centres, particularly leading to the creation of the C5+ format – the Central Asian Five Plus. I believe this is a crucial process that reflects the growing influence of the Central Asian region.
(1) I would like to highlight the particular significance of the region's cultural component. Asia is a unique continent, consisting of many sub-regions, each with its own distinct identity. Central Asia holds a special place among them, serving not only as a geographical but also as a cultural and historical crossroads. It is culture that forms the fundamental bond uniting the peoples of Central Asia and nurturing a deep sense of community and identity. For centuries, languages, traditions, religions and philosophies have blended on this land, creating a distinctive and diverse civilization capable of acting as a catalyst for further integration within the pan-Asian space.
(2) Another important point I would like to mention is the role of the Silk Road. Central Asia is a bridge between the subregions of Asia, from the South and West to the East and Northeast. The region is strategically positioned to become a hub for initiatives in trade, transportation, energy and digital sectors. CICA actively promotes the agenda of sustainable regional connectivity. One of the practical steps in this direction was the initiative of President K.K. Tokayev of Kazakhstan to establish the CICA Council on Sustainable Connectivity, aimed at harmonizing efforts and deepening sectoral cooperation. This initiative has found a wide response among the states of the region.
(3) The environmental agenda also occupies a central place in regional interaction. The tragedy of the Aral Sea has become not only a painful symbol but also a powerful incentive for regional consolidation. Central Asia is emerging as a leader in these efforts, with CICA actively integrating the climate agenda into its work.
As Chair, Azerbaijan intends to bring to CICA the achievements it has managed to achieve in its role as COP29 President. As you know, this global action that took place in Baku has yielded significant results.
In 2024, we held the first ministerial meeting on the environmental agenda, which culminated in the adoption of a document outlining niches where Central Asia intends to cooperate on climate action.
(4) The development of the region is impossible without coordinated efforts to combat radicalization, extremism and terrorism. Central Asia makes a significant contribution to promoting a proactive approach, strengthening interstate cooperation and facilitating the exchange of best practices. Countries of the region implement programmes to prevent radicalization, rehabilitate vulnerable groups and strengthen social resilience. An important component of this effort was the series of meetings held by the CICA Youth Council, including a session in Samarkand, where participants addressed the challenges of countering youth radicalization.
Special attention is paid to working with young people. Central Asian states are actively developing strategies aimed at increasing access to education, supporting youth entrepreneurship and engaging in civic and volunteer initiatives.
The CICA Partnership Network of Leading Universities, an initiative platform that promotes the development of academic exchange, the launch of joint educational programmes and the active involvement of young people in shaping the regional agenda, is also expected to play a significant role in this direction. These measures contribute to fostering a generation focused on cooperation, sustainability and mutual trust.
(5) It may be worth noting another extremely important element. Unfortunately, the threat of the use of nuclear weapons is becoming increasingly urgent in today’s world. At the same time, it was Central Asia that became the first and largest region in the northern hemisphere of the Earth to officially declare itself a nuclear-weapon-free zone. Although CICA does not have a dedicated focus on nuclear security, the Almaty Act – its founding document – underscores a strong commitment to disarmament, the non-use of force and the promotion of confidence building through dialogue.
Thus, CICA, based on these principles, offers the Member States concrete and practical confidence building measures.
Since December 2024, Azerbaijan has assumed the CICA Chairmanship under the theme “Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalization and Sustainable Growth in Asia”. In doing so, Azerbaijan reaffirmed its commitment to the organization’s mission and expressed its intention to actively contribute to its continued development.
We are grateful to the new Chairmanship for the fact that its priorities have been built upon the rich legacy of previous Chairmanships – Kazakhstan, Türkiye, China, Tajikistan – while offering innovative approaches to strengthening the role of CICA.
The strategic vision of the Azerbaijani Chairmanship has received broad support among the Member States. The main objectives at this stage are: transforming CICA and strengthening its institutional framework, deepening sectoral cooperation through the targeted implementation of confidence building measures and expanding cooperation between CICA and other international and regional organizations, which is becoming increasingly important in the context of growing global interdependence.
Azerbaijan is actively promoting key international priorities such as increasing women’s participation in decision-making, developing sustainable transport and financial connectivity and cooperation on the climate agenda.
The promotion of these initiatives is impossible without well-structured information support. We strive to bring the CICA agenda closer to the people. In this regard, we have begun actively promoting the expansion of the pool of journalists, including by organizing contests among media representatives from Member States.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The future of the information landscape will be determined not only by the level of technology but also by the degree of trust. Openness, the ability to listen, hear and be heard are the foundations of genuine interaction. This is where the tasks of international organizations and the media align now more than ever before.
Finally, it is with great pleasure that I invite representatives of regional and global media to collaborate: bringing the international agenda closer to the people is not only a challenge but also a unique opportunity.
Thank you.
