New York, 22-25 September 2025 –The Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Ambassador Kairat Sarybay undertook a working trip to New York to participate in the High-Level Week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Informal Meeting of the CICA Ministerial Council, convened under the Chairmanship of the Republic of Azerbaijan and chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov.
The Informal Meeting of the Council served as the main highlight of CICA’s engagement in New York. Ministers adopted landmark decisions establishing the CICA Finance Summit and CICA Women Council as new advisory bodies and approved two Statements on the 80th Anniversaries of the end of the Second World War and of the United Nations. These outcomes mark significant progress in the institutional transformation of CICA under the Azerbaijani Chairmanship.
In addition to his participation in the Ministerial Council, the Secretary General held a series of bilateral meetings with high-level representatives of CICA Member and Observer States, as well as senior United Nations officials.
In his meeting with H.E. Khaled Yousif Al Jalahma, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Ambassador Sarybay briefed on preparations for the Ministerial Council meeting and encouraged Bahrain’s more active engagement within CICA, including support for the organization’s budget and new Headquarters. Both sides agreed to maintain close contact and pursue reciprocal visits.
In his meeting with H.E. Dr. Maryam Al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the State of Qatar, Ambassador Sarybay raised the importance of financial sustainability for CICA and welcomed Qatar’s possible contributions to CICA Fund and the Secretariat’s budget. Both sides also discussed the development of new CICA institutions, including the Women Council and Finance Summit, agreeing to explore practical avenues for Qatar’s engagement.
In talks with H.E. Anouparb Vongnorkeo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, discussions focused on Lao PDR’s role as a CICA Observer State and prospects for enhanced cooperation. The Secretary General also underlined synergies between CICA and ASEAN.
Ambassador Sarybay met with Mr. Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). The discussion addressed CICA’s transformation and the priorities of the Azerbaijani Chairmanship, and explored avenues for strengthening UN–CICA cooperation in counter-terrorism. Special attention was given to the prospective Memorandum of Understanding between the CICA Secretariat and UNOCT and further collaboration within the framework of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT).
Through these engagements, the Secretary General highlighted the strategic importance of CICA’s transformation into a full-fledged international organization and the role of its new advisory bodies in advancing cooperation on finance, women’s empowerment and sustainable development. The meetings further underscored CICA’s contribution as a platform for dialogue, trust and multilateral partnership, complementing the work of the United Nations in promoting peace, security and prosperity across Asia.
