Astana, 2 July 2025 – The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) marked a historic milestone with the inauguration of its new Headquarters in Astana. The opening ceremony took place on July 2, coinciding with the Day of the Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan — the founding nation and host country of CICA.
The new Headquarters was officially inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who had initiated the construction of a dedicated building for CICA, reflecting Astana’s deep commitment to global and regional peace and security and its vision for strengthening the institutional foundations of multilateral diplomacy in Asia. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and CICA Secretary General Kairat Sarybay solemnly unveiled the commemorative plaque of the organization’s Headquarters, followed by the raising of the CICA flag by the honor guard.
The grand opening brought together other senior officials of Kazakhstan, including H.E. Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zhenis Kassymbek, Mayor of Astana, as well as heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organizations accredited in Kazakhstan.
In his address, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev extended warm congratulations to all current and former members of Kazakhstan’s diplomatic service on the occasion of their professional holiday. Reflecting on the country’s rich legacy, he highlighted the enduring values of ‘Steppe diplomacy’ — respect, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence — which continue to guide Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. The President emphasized the historic significance of inaugurating the CICA Headquarters in Astana, underscoring Kazakhstan’s pivotal role in initiating the Conference more than three decades ago as a visionary platform to foster stability and security across Asia. He noted that CICA’s inclusive approach, rooted in cooperation, dialogue and mutual understanding, remains critically relevant amid today’s global uncertainties. With Member States covering nearly 90 percent of Asia and representing over half of the world’s population, CICA has become a vital component of the emerging international security architecture.
In his remarks, CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay underscored that the new building is more than a functional space for the operation of the organization’s bodies, including the Secretariat. It stands as a tangible expression of CICA’s transformation into a full-fledged international organization. He emphasized that the building reflects the evolution of CICA and embodies its long-term commitment to fostering dialogue, mutual trust and multilateral cooperation among Asian nations and beyond.
He expressed sincere gratitude to President Tokayev for his visionary decision to launch the construction of a dedicated CICA Headquarters and for personally inaugurating the facility, while also acknowledging his instrumental role in laying the foundations of independent Kazakhstan’s diplomacy and leading the negotiation process that culminated in the adoption of CICA’s founding documents — the 1999 Declaration on the Principles Guiding Relations between the CICA Member States and the 2002 Almaty Act.
The Secretary General also conveyed deep appreciation to CICA Member States for their remarkable and thoughtfully curated contributions of national artworks and architectural elements, which have imparted cultural depth and symbolic resonance to the Headquarters and its grounds. These dignified offerings — from Azerbaijan, China, India, the Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan — embody the artistic spirit, civilizational heritage and shared aspirations of Asia. Among them are: an elegantly appointed Visitors Room from Azerbaijan, reflecting the nation’s refined aesthetic through ornamental carpets, carved wooden details and classical furniture; a grand wooden gate hand-carved by Tajik artisans from Istaravshan, presented on behalf of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan; a gazebo from Uzbekistan, crafted in the classical Samarkand style and gifted by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; a six-wall Kyrgyz yurt, symbolizing the nomadic spirit, hospitality and shared cultural heritage of Asia, presented at the initiative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic; a three-dimensional artistic installation of the CICA logo created by renowned Chinese sculptor Wu Weishan, along with solar panels gifted by China, symbolizing innovation and environmental responsibility; a ceramic tile panel from Türkiye capturing the timeless essence of Istanbul; a bronze Bodhisattva from the Republic of Korea representing spiritual serenity; and a sacred bronze statue of Nataraja from India, reflecting cosmic balance and philosophical depth.
The inauguration of the Headquarters stands as a powerful testament to the organization’s institutional maturity and the unwavering commitment of its Member States to advancing dialogue, trust and cooperation in Asia and beyond. Purpose-built as a modern and multifunctional facility, the new Headquarters will not only accommodate the daily work of the CICA Secretariat but also serve as a state-of-the-art conference venue for CICA meetings and high-level events. It will preserve the institutional memory of CICA’s 33-year journey while supporting its expanding mandate in promoting peace, security and development across the Asian continent.
