18 April 2024 - Baku, Azerbaijan – The Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Kairat Sarybay paid a visit to Baku to hold consultations regarding the upcoming Azerbaijan Chairmanship of CICA, scheduled for 2024-2026.
Secretary General Sarybay had the honor of being received by H.E. İlham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, where they engaged in fruitful discussions regarding Azerbaijan's impressive contributions to multilateralism. President Aliyev shared his strategic vision for the upcoming Azerbaijan Chairmanship, emphasizing the importance of pan-Asian dialogue within CICA and expressing strong support for its initiatives.
Ambassador Sarybay expressed his gratitude for the recognition of CICA as a mature and relevant organization and appreciated the readiness of President Ilham Aliyev to strengthen it during Azerbaijan's Chairmanship.
Secretary General Sarybay held in-depth talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Jeyhun Bayramov, who noted that the priorities of the incoming Chairmanship would build upon the achievements and priorities set during the Kazakh Chairmanship. The interlocutors discussed substantive preparations for the CICA Ministerial Council meeting in Baku in autumn 2024, which would set directions for the organization’s work in the next biennium until the 2026 CICA Summit, also to be hosted by Azerbaijan.
At a productive meeting with Mr. Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan & Head of the Foreign Policy Department of Presidential Administration, Secretary General Sarybay expressed his appreciation for Azerbaijan’s strong commitment to chairing CICA and high hopes for collaboration with Azerbaijan’s seasoned team in the biennium 2024-2026.
Ambassador Sarybay also held discussions with H.E. Rashad N. Nabiyev, the Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, during which he expressed admiration for Azerbaijan's achievements and future prospects in enhancing transit and transport capabilities. Notably, Azerbaijan currently leads coordination efforts in the CICA's priority area of developing secure and efficient transport corridors. Secretary General Sarybay provided an update on the state of implementation of the Kazakh Chairmanship's priority on establishing the CICA Council of Sustainable Connectivity.
Ambassador Sarybay had an exchange of views with Araz Azimov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, on the current challenges and potential of CICA and continuity of the organization’s work in light of the prospective handover of CICA Chairmanship from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan at the next CICA Ministerial Council meeting.
Additionally, Ambassador Sarybay had engaging discussions with Ms. Indira Hajiyeva and Mr. Farhad Hajiyev, Deputies of the Minister of Youth and Sport, regarding the upcoming Chairmanship of Azerbaijan in the CICA Youth Council. He also met with Mr. Elnur Aliyev, First Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, to elaborate on the incoming Chairmanship of Azerbaijan in the CICA Business Council, responsible for promoting cooperation in the field of small and medium enterprises.
Ambassador Sarybay acknowledged the high potential of academia in fostering inter-state dialogue for peace and development in Asia during discussions with Ambassador Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Center for Analyses of International Relations. Both parties agreed to collaborate closely in support of the CICA Think Tank Forum and enriching its intersessional activities, further enhancing the role of CICA as a platform for fostering cooperation and peace in the region.
During his visit, Ambassador Sarybay paid homage to the esteemed President Heydar Aliyev at his resting place in Baku, reflecting on his enduring contributions to the nation and its people. He also visited the Alley of Martyrs memorial to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the independence of Azerbaijan.
The visit of Ambassador Sarybay to Baku was held shortly after the CICA Ministerial Council's decision to entrust the helm of the next CICA Chair to Azerbaijan. It has fully achieved its main goals of setting a stage for smooth succession of the organization’s leadership, ensuring continuity of CICA’s strategic priorities, and starting to provide support for the future Chair in further advancing the CICA process.
Media contact:
Tahir Kazykhan
Public Relations Officer
Email: tahir@s-cica.org
Phone number:+7 (778) 734-85-61
