Astana, 12 March 2026 – The Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) hosted a traditional Iftar dinner on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan at the CICA Headquarters in Astana. The event brought together heads of diplomatic missions of CICA Member and Observer States, leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as heads of international organizations accredited in Kazakhstan.
Welcoming the guests, CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay extended his warm greetings and noted that Ramadan serves as a time for reflection, compassion and solidarity. He emphasized that the tradition of breaking fast together reflects the core values of CICA – dialogue, mutual respect and the strengthening of trust among nations.
In his remarks, the Secretary General highlighted recent developments within CICA under the Chairmanship of the Republic of Azerbaijan and ongoing preparations for the Seventh CICA Summit to be held in Baku on 15 October 2026.
Ambassador Sarybay also noted the establishment of two new advisory bodies – the Finance Summit and the CICA Women Council – and expressed hope for active participation of Member States in the inaugural meeting of the Women Council scheduled for 14 April 2026 in Baku. He further highlighted the continued work of other CICA institutions, including the Think Tank Forum, the Business Council, the Youth Council and the Partnership Network of Leading Universities.
The Secretary General also drew attention to the activities of the CICA Fund, noting recent contributions and projects aimed at supporting communities affected by natural disasters and other humanitarian challenges. He also informed guests about the Secretariat’s initiatives marking the International Year of Volunteers 2026, including the preparation of an e-publication on volunteerism
Expressing appreciation to Kazakhstan as the host country, Ambassador Sarybay thanked the Government of Kazakhstan for its continued support and for providing the new Headquarters in Astana.
In closing, the Secretary General informed guests about the upcoming CICA Spring Charity Bazaar to be held at the CICA Headquarters on 26 April 2026, which will bring together members of the diplomatic corps and the wider public to promote cultural exchange and raise funds for charitable causes.
The gathering provided an opportunity for representatives of the diplomatic community and international organizations to exchange views in an informal setting and strengthen professional contacts among partners engaged in the CICA process.
The traditional CICA Iftar reflected the spirit of Ramadan and reaffirmed the shared commitment of participants to dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation in support of peace, security and stability across Asia.
