Ashgabat, 17 March 2026 – As part of a working visit to Turkmenistan, the Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, held talks with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Akhmet Gurbanov in Ashgabat.
At the meeting, Ambassador Sarybay highlighted key aspects of CICA’s current activities, including the work of its governing and advisory bodies, the priorities of the Azerbaijani Chairmanship in preparation for the Seventh Summit in Baku in autumn 2026, and the ongoing process of transforming the Conference into a full-fledged international organization.
The CICA Secretary General highly appreciated Ashgabat’s contribution to the development of multilateral diplomacy. It was noted that Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality enables the country to pursue an active foreign policy and consistently implement its peacebuilding potential through preventive diplomacy. In addition, Ashgabat’s international initiatives in the areas of energy security and transport connectivity are widely recognized.
According to Ambassador Sarybay, Turkmenistan’s accession to CICA as an observer in 2021 became a logical reflection of the country’s approaches to international relations, which are fully consistent with the goals and principles of the Conference.
The diplomats also noted the positive dynamics in relations among the Central Asian states, including the successful resolution of border issues and progress in the joint management of water resources in the region.
In this context, the Secretary General underlined the importance of raising Turkmenistan’s status within CICA, which would make it possible to fully tap into the potential of Ashgabat’s neutrality within the framework of the Conference.
Ambassador K. Sarybay welcomed the outcomes of the High-level Forum on Peace and Trust, held in December 2025 as part of the International Year of Peace and Trust, proclaimed by the United Nations at the initiative of Ashgabat. The large-scale event marked a significant date – the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Gurbanov highlighted CICA’s extensive agenda and broad membership, and invited CICA to engage in dialogue with the Group of Friends of Neutrality, which Turkmenistan had initiated to promote regular international discussions on the practical use of countries’ peacekeeping potential, particularly within the UN.
Turkmenistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister identified interaction in energy security, sustainable connectivity, environment and the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy as promising areas for cooperation.
During discussions on regional security, the parties expressed concern over developments in West Asia, particularly the situation in and around Iran, and emphasized the need for a diplomatic resolution of conflicts in accordance with the provisions of the UN Charter and the international law.
Special attention was devoted to consolidating efforts to strengthen food security and facilitating Afghanistan’s full reintegration into the international community.
Secretary General K. Sarybay provided information on the CICA Fund, a mechanism established to ensure the organization’s project activities. One of the first projects of the Fund was an initiative to support agricultural producers in Afghanistan’s central provinces, through which farming households received seeds and fertilizers for wheat cultivation.
The parties reaffirmed their interest in continuing the dialogue.
