25 June 2024 – Tehran, Iran – Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Ambassador Kairat Sarybay paid a working visit to Tehran on 23-24 June to attend the 19th meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and hold consultations with Iranian government officials. Several bilateral meetings with CICA Member State representatives also took place on the margins of this event.
In his remarks during the forum, the CICA Secretary General noted the importance of strengthening multilateralism, having recalled the legacy of the late President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi and the late Minister Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Amid the increasingly vital role of Asia in global affairs, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay highlighted some prospects for synergy between CICA and ACD as integral parts of the pan-Asian diplomatic system. The Secretary General briefed the audience about CICA’s mission, core values and joint approaches of its Member States, explaining the essence of the CICA Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). Ambassador Kairat Sarybay concluded his remarks by expressing that the prospects for CICA-ACD synergy may help to foster a safer, more prosperous and interconnected world through collective action and dialogue.
Fruitful consultations took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran with Deputy Minister Reza Najafi. The high-ranking Iranian diplomat confirmed his country’s strong commitment and support for CICA, including its ongoing transformation and other priorities of the current Chairmanship outlined at the Sixth CICA Summit in Astana. The Secretary General briefed Mr. Reza Najafi about the preparation for the 7th CICA Ministerial Council meeting in Baku on 11 November 2024 and the Secretariat’s efforts to ensure smooth transition of the CICA Chairmanship. Ambassador Kairat Sarybay commended the Iranian side for its substantial contribution to the CBM implementation as the coordinator of two priority areas of the CICA Catalogue of CBMs – “Combating illicit drugs” and “Natural disaster management”.
Secretary General Sarybay also held a bilateral meeting with the new Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkiye, Mr. Burhanettin Duran. The Secretary General thanked him for Turkiye’s continuous support and engagement in the CICA process on all levels. The high-ranking Turkish colleague was briefed on CICA's achievements under Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship and the implementation of the Chairmanship’s priorities. Ambassador Kairat Sarybay also informed the Deputy Minister of the ongoing preparation for the upcoming CICA Ministerial Council meeting.
Ambassador Sarybay also met with Ambassador Fatima Abdulla Fares Aldhaen, Director General of International Cooperation at Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry. The two diplomats discussed preparations for the Baku Ministerial Council meeting and other key events on the 2024 CICA calendar. The Secretary General updated the Bahraini diplomat on progress in implementing the Road Map for CICA Transformation. While exchanging views on the role of West Asia in building a more secure and prosperous CICA region, Ambassador Aldhaen was briefed on the CICA Secretariat’s efforts to promote multilinguism.
