New York, 25 September 2025 – The Informal Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was convened under the Chairmanship of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov, in his capacity as Chair of the Meeting reaffirmed the Chairmanship’s commitment to promoting peace, regional cooperation and sustainable development. Highlighting progress achieved under Azerbaijan’s leadership, the Chair emphasized the importance of the establishment of the CICA Women Council, adoption of the Finance Summit regulations, operationalization of the Partnership Network of Leading Universities, and strengthening of the Secretariat. Reaffirming the Chairmanship’s commitment to building stronger CICA through connectivity, digitalization and sustainable growth, the Chair underscored ongoing efforts being undertaken by the Chairmanship with the support of Member States. While informing the Member States on the ongoing elaboration process of the draft CICA Charter, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov reaffirmed full determination of the Chairmanship to drive this process forward in accordance with the key decisions of CICA through an inclusive and member-driven process.
Presenting his report, the Secretary General of CICA, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, delivered a comprehensive overview of the organization’s activities and priorities. His report highlighted the progress made in the implementation of confidence building measures across all priority areas, the elaboration of the draft CICA Charter as the legal foundation of the organization, and the ongoing preparations for the forthcoming 2026 CICA Summit to be hosted by Azerbaijan. The Secretary General further emphasized the growing synergy among CICA’s advisory platforms — the Business Council, the Think Tank Forum, and the Youth Council — underscoring their contribution to the organization’s overall objectives. Ambassador Sarybay reiterated the importance of transparency, consensus, and the guidance of Member States in advancing CICA’s agenda. The Secretary General also drew attention to the intensification of CICA’s engagement with the United Nations and other international partners, noting the organization’s evolving role as a bridge-builder in Asia’s multilateral landscape.
In their general statements, high-level representatives from CICA Member States reviewed progress across the organization’s broad agenda, including its ongoing transformation process. They highlighted the role of the Chairmanship in promoting the institutionalisation of CICA and greatly commended its activities aimed at advancing the goals of CICA across Asia and beyond.
The meeting of the Council of Ministers adopted landmark decisions, including on the establishment of two new advisory bodies — the CICA Finance Summit https://www.s-cica.org/docs/161683457068d54bb636e37.pdf and the CICA Women Council https://www.s-cica.org/docs/203677114468d54becbfcbc.pdf — to enhance regional cooperation in finance, sustainable development, and women’s empowerment. Ministers also adopted statements marking the 80th anniversaries of the end of World War II https://www.s-cica.org/docs/135240074468d54c3b68210.pdf and of the United Nations https://www.s-cica.org/docs/183559541268d54cba945c6.pdf, paying tribute to historic sacrifices, reaffirming commitment to multilateralism, and emphasizing CICA’s role as a platform for dialogue, trust, and collaboration in promoting peace, security and sustainable development across Asia.
