As one of the founding members of CICA, Türkiye has consistently stood at the forefront of our shared mission to foster trust, dialogue, and cooperation across the Asian continent. As the third-largest contributor to the CICA Secretariat’s budget, Türkiye’s unwavering support and leadership have been instrumental to the progress we have achieved together.
During its chairmanship in 2010–2014, Türkiye played a decisive role in shaping the institutional architecture of CICA. It spearheaded the establishment of key advisory bodies and laid the groundwork for the Think Tanks Forum by convening the inaugural meeting of academia and diplomacy experts from the CICA Member States in 2010. Türkiye hosted a historic CICA Summit in Istanbul and the first-ever structured dialogue between CICA and the OSCE — a powerful demonstration of Türkiye’s unique role as a bridge between regions and an advocate of multilateral engagement.
Türkiye’s contributions to advancing confidence building measures within CICA remain equally significant. Its annual seminars for law enforcement agencies provide a valuable platform for enhancing cooperation and sharing expertise.
CICA, in collaboration with TIKA and the Islamic Organization for Food Security, has successfully implemented the first project under the CICA Fund, aimed at promoting sustainable wheat cultivation in central Afghanistan.
Türkiye’s generous gift to the newly constructed CICA Headquarters — the handcrafted İznik ceramic tile panel “The Timeless Memory of Istanbul” — now holds a place of honor within our premises. This exquisite work of art has become a focal point of admiration for all visitors, serving as a vivid reflection of Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage and the enduring value of cultural diplomacy.
Looking ahead, I remain confident in Türkiye’s continued commitment to the growth and evolution of CICA. Its active engagement will remain essential as we pursue our vision of transforming CICA into a fully-fledged international organization and strengthening our shared efforts to build a peaceful, secure, and cooperative Asia.
