13 June 2024 — Dushanbe, Tajikistan —CICA Secretary General Kairat Sarybay participated in the Third High-level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018-2028 from 10-13 June 2024. This event, attended by heads of state and government, and hosted by President of Tajikistan H.E. Emomali Rahmon, focused on water sustainability and advancing SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework through initiatives like the "Dushanbe Water Process".
In his address to the conference, Ambassador Sarybay emphasized CICA’s commitment to addressing water challenges and promoting sustainable development. He highlighted CICA’s efforts in fostering collaboration among Member States to enhance environmental sustainability and announced upcoming CICA events, including the Ministerial Conference on Environmental Issues in Astana on 28 August 2024, as well as a CICA event at COP29 in Baku in November 2024. He concluded by stressing the importance of joint efforts in addressing water challenges and aligning with SDG 6 to ensure water remains a source of life and prosperity.
Dr. Ugur Turan, CICA’s environmental dimension expert, participated in interactive dialogue on topics such as the water-energy-food nexus, transboundary and international water cooperation, and accelerating the objectives of the Water Action Decade. Dr. Turan also engaged in bilateral discussions with various stakeholders, presenting CICA's role in the environmental arena in Asia.
CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay held bilateral meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin. The parties discussed security concerns in Asia, including Afghanistan’s position in the international community. Ambassador Sarybay informed the Minister about the current CICA agenda and expressed appreciation for Tajikistan’s continued support to CICA. He requested to facilitate the ratification of the CICA Convention on Privileges and Immunities, which was already signed by the Republic of Tajikistan.
During a meeting with Ismatullo Nasredin, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, K. Sarybay discussed preparations for the CICA Ministerial Council meeting in Baku in November 2024, the implementation of the Road Map for CICA Transformation, and other current and future CICA activities.
Ambassador Sarybay also spoke with Dr. Khairidin Usmonzoda, Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies under the President of Tajikistan, about the potential of the CICA Think Tank Forum as a uniting platform for regional strategic and research institutions.
Kairat Sarybay briefed Akhliddin Nuriddinzoda, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan, on CICA’s agenda in the economic dimension, including the activities of the CICA Business Council and Business Forum. He highlighted the advantages which CICA could bring to small and medium enterprises in the region and spoke about the initiative to establish the CICA Council on Sustainable Connectivity.
In his discussion with Chorshanbezoda Surach, Deputy Chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee of Tajikistan, Ambassador Sarybay spoke about the CICA Youth Council and elaborated on the role of youth in achieving SDGs as well as the importance of CICA’s support to volunteerism. Additionally, they discussed the potential opening of a CICA Alley in Dushanbe.
In the Parliament of Tajikistan, the Secretary General had a meeting with Dr. Faizullo Barotzoda, candidate to the CICA Council of Eminent Persons and informed him about CICA advisory bodies and the current status of the Council of Eminent Persons.
Ambassador Sarybay also held a bilateral meeting with the UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Mr. Li Junhua. He reflected on CICA’s recent cooperation with the UN, particularly during the side event during the High-Level Week of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September 2023, and the side event at 80th ESCAP Session in Bangkok in April 2024. Parties agreed to continue deliberations on the margins of the upcoming UN High-level Political Forum in New York in July 2024.
