Almaty, 16-17 September 2026 — The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) joined the Tenth North and Central Asia Multi-Stakeholder Forum on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Government of Kazakhstan.
The high level of the forum was underscored by the videomessage of the Under-Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, who emphasized that achieving universally agreed development targets relies exclusively on joint cooperation. Highlighting the disparities in progress across North and Central Asia, she advocated for fast-tracked joint measures and stronger regional ties.
Building on the call for stronger regional partnerships, CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, speaking at the opening session on September 16, highlighted the strong connection between the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and CICA's broader confidence building agenda. Welcoming the sustained engagement between CICA and ESCAP, he emphasized that this partnership is essential for aligning regional mechanisms with the global commitments of the 2030 Agenda. Secretary General Sarybay underscored that building stable and prosperous Asia requires mutual trust developed equally across political, security, economic, environmental and social dimensions.
Highlighting the central role of SDG 17, the Secretary General described partnerships as a vital bridge connecting global commitments with regional priorities. He explained that for CICA, this means providing platforms where governments and businesses can exchange experiences and identify new opportunities. He noted that CICA actively brings SDG 17 to life through its specialized advisory bodies – such as the Business Council, Think Tank Forum, Women Council and Youth Council. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, these frameworks enable governments and commercial sectors to pursue mutual interests, help financial entities secure necessary investments and ensure that experts, women and youth play an influential part in regional sustainability.
Regional partners echoed this multi-sectoral perspective. Deputy Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Mr. Silapberdi Nurberdiyev emphasized that disparities in SDG achievement across countries call for tailored policies and enhanced regional coordination. Expanding on this perspective, Deputy Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Mr. Ahmad Saidmurodzoda pointed to the multifaceted nature of sustainable development, urging consolidated efforts in poverty reduction, educational exchanges and the transition toward green industries.
Continuing CICA's participation on September 17, Ambassador Raushan Yesbulatova, Coordinator in Economic Dimension, addressed the panel session dedicated to SDG 17 and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships.
Ambassador Yesbulatova focused on the synergy of joint efforts, emphasizing that no single Sustainable Development Goal can be achieved in isolation. She further stressed that robust partnerships must rest on three fundamental pillars – trust, inclusiveness and practical cooperation – to successfully translate political commitments into tangible outcomes for the societies across the wider region of Asia. To illustrate this practical approach, she highlighted key CICA initiatives designed to expand economic opportunities, pointing specifically to the interactive SME guidebook and the outcomes of the inaugural CICA Finance Summit recently held in Astana.
