Baku, 14 October 2026
Dear Mr. Mao Tithiarun,
Dear Cambodian colleagues,
It is a great pleasure that today we receive the Instrument of Ratification of the CICA Convention on Privileges and Immunities from the Kingdom of Cambodia.
I remember very well my visit to Phnom Penh in March this year and my meeting with His Excellency Mr Hun Sen, then Acting Head of State and President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Among the issues we discussed was Cambodia’s ratification of the Convention, and I greatly appreciate the attention given by the Cambodian leadership to this matter.
Cambodia has been a full Member State of CICA since 1 March 2011. Is it a lucky coincidence or was it considerable that Cambodia ratified the Convention on its 15th Anniversary of joining CICA? Over these years, Cambodia has been an active and valued member of our CICA family and has consistently supported dialogue, cooperation and the institutional development of the Conference.
Cambodia’s ratification carries immense importance for CICA. Its Instrument of Ratification is the fourteenth instrument required for the Convention to come into effect. It truly pleases me that this happens on the eve of the Seventh CICA Summit in Baku. Thus, in accordance with Article 9, paragraph 2, of the Convention, it will enter into force on 8 November 2026.
This will be a historical milestone for CICA. The Convention, which was signed in Istanbul on 8 June 2010, will finally become legally effective. It will further strengthen the institutional and legal foundations of CICA, including by providing the Secretariat with the necessary legal capacity and establishing the framework of privileges and immunities required for the effective performance of official functions. It is a very timely and valuable contribution by Cambodia at an important stage in the development of CICA.
On behalf of the CICA Secretariat, I would like to sincerely thank the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia for its continued support and for its role in bringing the Convention into force.
We highly value Cambodia’s engagement in CICA and look forward to continuing our close cooperation.
Thank you.
