Bishkek, 20 October 2026 – Deputy Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Mr. Farid Damirli, participated in the Fifteenth Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), hosted by the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The Session brought together parliamentary leaders and representatives of international organizations under the theme “Parliamentary Cooperation in the Turkic World in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Technological Progress”.
Addressing the Session, Mr. Damirli highlighted the successful conclusion of the 7th CICA Summit, held in Baku on 15 October 2026 under the Chairmanship of His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He emphasized its significance for advancing regional dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation across Asia.
The Deputy Secretary General outlined the Summit’s principal outcomes, including the adoption of the Baku Declaration and the Statement on Occupational Safety and Health, the accession of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to CICA, the extension of Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship for 2026–2028 and the appointment of Ambassador Sultan Hajiyev as Secretary General for 2026–2030. He noted that these developments opened a new period for CICA and its partners, with renewed opportunities to translate political commitments into practical cooperation.
Highlighting TURKPA’s role as an observer to CICA, Mr. Damirli emphasized the contribution of parliamentary diplomacy to confidence-building through dialogue and exchanges of legislative experience. He reaffirmed the Secretariat’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with TURKPA, building on established relations and the direction provided by the Baku Summit.
Turning to the theme of the Session, he highlighted CICA cooperation on digital government, artificial intelligence, innovation and the digitalization of transport corridors. He underlined that parliamentary exchanges could complement cooperation among national institutions, while digital solutions could facilitate trade and strengthen connectivity, a priority of the Azerbaijani Chairmanship.
Speaking on the Session’s theme of parliamentary cooperation in the age of artificial intelligence and technological progress, Chairperson of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova referred to the meeting between His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and His Excellency Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, during the successful Seventh CICA Summit in Baku and their joint launch of the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line. This initiative provides a practical example of regional cooperation in strengthening digital connectivity and supporting technological development.
Mr. Damirli’s participation provided an opportunity to highlight prospects for closer cooperation in advancing confidence-building, digital transformation and regional connectivity.
Find the full statement of the Deputy Secretary General of the CICA, Mr. Farid Damirli, here.
