Astana, 8 October 2025 — This year’s celebration of the CICA Day carried profound symbolic significance, as it marked thirty-three years since the inception of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia — and, for the first time, took place in the organization’s newly inaugurated Headquarters in Astana. This milestone not only commemorates CICA’s three-decade-long journey of promoting peace, stability and dialogue across Asia, but also heralds a new chapter in its institutional development. The state-of-the-art complex stands as a living testament to the vision of the Host Country, the Republic of Kazakhstan, whose steadfast commitment has ensured CICA’s ongoing transformation into a full-fledged international organization with a permanent home — a powerful symbol of confidence in the enduring future of cooperation in Asia and beyond.
The new Headquarters embodies the collective spirit of CICA’s Member States, many of whom enriched its architectural and cultural design through unique national contributions. From traditional art pieces to decorative elements, each reflects the soul of its nation, blending into a harmonious representation of Asia’s vast diversity. These tangible symbols of friendship and solidarity now adorn the halls of CICA’s new home, turning it into a genuine “House of Asia” where the heritage and creative spirit of the continent coexist in unity.
In his welcoming remarks, CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all Member States for their steadfast support of the organization’s work and highlighted the leadership of the Azerbaijani Chairmanship, whose priorities, under the guidance of H.E. President Ilham Aliyev, have propelled CICA’s activities in line with the collective aspirations of its members. He emphasized that celebrating CICA Day within the organization’s own Headquarters marks an institutional and symbolic milestone, reflecting both maturity and confidence in the CICA process.
Ambassador Sarybay extended appreciation to the Host Country, Kazakhstan, for its unwavering legislative, material and in-kind support, and to the Member States — including Azerbaijan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Palestine, the Republic of Korea, Tajikistan, Thailand, Türkiye and Uzbekistan — for their generous material, cultural and artistic contributions to the new building.
Ambassador Sarybay also underscored the recent progress achieved under the Chairmanship, recalling the successful CICA Ministerial Council in New York, which adopted landmark decisions reaffirming Member States’ commitment to multilateralism and regional cooperation. He noted the Secretariat’s active role in implementing the first project of the CICA Fund, supporting Afghan farmers in combating the food crisis, and commended the steps taken toward bringing into force the Convention on Privileges and Immunities, which will further strengthen the organization’s legal capacity.
Representing the CICA Chairmanship, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Astana, H.E. Aghalar Atamoglanov, extended warm congratulations to all Member States on the occasion of CICA Day, highlighting the organization’s continued relevance and Azerbaijan’s commitment to advancing dialogue and cooperation across Asia. He noted that under the theme “Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalization and Sustainable Growth in Asia,” the Chairmanship focuses on strengthening confidence building measures, deepening economic cooperation, expanding people-to-people exchanges, and enhancing CICA’s institutional development.
Ambassador Atamoglanov emphasized the Chairmanship’s key achievements, including progress in the discussion of the CICA Charter, the successful holding of the Business Council, Business Forum and Think Tank Forum, as well as preparations for the upcoming Youth Council meeting. He also underlined the recent decisions to launch the CICA Finance Summit and the Women Council, reaffirming that the forthcoming CICA Summit in Baku in 2026 will mark the culmination of Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship and reflect its growing role in promoting peace, stability and cooperation throughout Asia.
Continuing the celebration of solidarity among Member States, the Minister-counsellor of Chinese Embassy on behalf of the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Han Chunlin, presented a symbolic cheque representing China’s contribution to the 2025 budget of the CICA Secretariat — a gesture reaffirming the enduring commitment of the People’s Republic of China to supporting the Secretariat’s activities and advancing CICA’s shared vision of peace and cooperation in Asia.
The CICA Day celebration unfolded in an atmosphere of genuine friendship and cultural vibrancy. Embassies of Azerbaijan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan presented their national cuisines, while the Secretariat complemented the festive mood with performances of traditional music and dances, transforming the new Headquarters into a living mosaic of Asia’s rich heritage. This vibrant exchange of tastes, sounds, and colors reflected not only CICA’s institutional maturity but also the unity and creative spirit that define the continent. It was a vivid embodiment of the organization’s enduring philosophy: dialogue builds trust, trust fosters cooperation, cooperation ensures security, and security paves the way for sustainable development.
