October 30, 2025 — The Agricultural Research Center of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), successfully hosted the CICA Conference on Agricultural Sector Insights: Harnessing General and Partial Equilibrium Models for Evidence-Based Management in an online format. The event brought together more than 30 policymakers, agricultural economists, researchers and international experts from CICA Member States to discuss the use of General and Partial Equilibrium Models as vital tools for informed policy analysis and sustainable agricultural development.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Secretary General of CICA Mr. Farid Damirli expressed gratitude to the Chairmanship of Azerbaijan for its continued leadership in strengthening CICA’s Economic Dimension and advancing regional cooperation through innovative initiatives. He emphasized that agriculture remains a cornerstone of sustainable development and food security across Asia, yet faces growing challenges posed by climate change, market volatility, and resource constraints. Underscoring the value of analytical instruments such as General and Partial Equilibrium Models, Mr.Damirli noted their importance in enabling evidence-based decision-making, building resilience and fostering coordinated policy responses among CICA Member States.
During the Conference, experts from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh and Israel highlighted how these tools enable governments to anticipate market shifts, assess the impact of external shocks and design more resilient food systems. Sessions focused on applying these models to address challenges such as supply chain disruptions, trade fluctuations and climate change impacts.
The Conference also showcased best international practices and case studies from CICA Member States, emphasizing the importance of data sharing, model integration and regional cooperation. Interactive discussions and capacity-building components helped strengthen technical expertise among participants, reinforcing the value of evidence-based decision-making in agriculture.
