Baku, Azerbaijan, 26 June 2026
Distinguished Minister,
Excellencies, Young Leaders and delegates
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 9th meeting of the CICA Youth Council here in Baku.
At the outset, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports, for hosting this important gathering and for its continued commitment to advancing youth cooperation within the CICA framework.
Dear colleagues,
Asia is home to the largest youth population in the world. The future of our continent will be shaped not only by governments and institutions, but by the creativity, talent and determination of its young people.
For CICA, youth are not merely beneficiaries of development policies. They are active partners in building a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Asia. Their ideas, innovations and civic engagement are indispensable for addressing the complex challenges facing our societies.
The theme of this year’s Youth Council meeting — “Youth Engagement in Advancing Sustainable Urban Development” is therefore both timely and highly relevant.
Urbanization continues to transform our societies at an unprecedented pace. Cities are becoming centers of economic growth, innovation and cultural exchange, while also facing challenges related to environmental sustainability, mobility, social inclusion and public safety. As digital natives and agents of change, young people possess unique capabilities to contribute innovative solutions to these challenges and to help shape resilient, smart and sustainable urban environments.
Earlier in May, Baku hosted the World Urban Forum, bringing together policymakers, experts and stakeholders from around the world to discuss the future of cities. I was pleased to participate in this important platform, which highlighted the need for innovative, inclusive and sustainable approaches to urban development. One of the key messages emerging from those discussions was clear: young people must be at the centre of designing the cities of tomorrow.
It is therefore particularly symbolic that our meeting is being held in Baku White City, one of the most ambitious urban regeneration projects in the region. Transformed from a former industrial area into a modern, sustainable and people-centred urban district, White City demonstrates how long-term vision, innovation and environmental responsibility can reshape urban spaces.
I am encouraged that Youth Council meeting will provide a platform for sharing national experiences and best practices, while fostering dialogue among young leaders from across the CICA region. Such exchanges strengthen mutual understanding, create lasting partnerships and contribute to the broader objectives of confidence building among our Member States.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The CICA Youth Council has evolved into one of the most dynamic platforms within CICA’s Human Dimension activities. It demonstrates how youth diplomacy can complement traditional diplomacy by building bridges between societies and nurturing a culture of dialogue, trust and cooperation.
The CICA Rallies of Volunteer Movement Leaders held in Astana and Baku under the auspices of the previous Youth Council meetings, respectively in 2024 and 2025, clearly demonstrated that young people are ready not only to speak about change, but to become its driving force. Within the framework of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026, CICA organize on 13–14 July at the United Nations Headquarters in New York the presentation of the e-publication “Best Volunteerism Practices in the CICA Region” and a photo exhibition dedicated to volunteerism in the Member States.
Today’s meeting takes place under the Azerbaijani Chairmanship’s inspiring theme, “Stronger CICA, Connectivity, Digitalization and Sustainable Growth in Asia.” It also reflects one of the Chairmanship’s key priorities: promoting people-to-people contacts and strengthening youth engagement as an essential pillar of confidence building across our region. The initiatives taking place alongside this meeting including the Youth Speech and Debate Competition focused on artificial intelligence and human capital, as well as the Youth Robotics Competition within the World Robot Caspian Cup illustrate how CICA is creating practical opportunities for young people to exchange ideas, develop skills and contribute to regional cooperation.
These activities embody the values that CICA seeks to promote: openness, innovation, mutual respect and constructive engagement. They also demonstrate that confidence building is not limited to political dialogue, it is equally about empowering people, especially young people, to work together across borders in pursuit of common goals.
Dear friends,
As CICA continues its transformation into a full-fledged international organization, the engagement of youth will become increasingly important. The next generation will inherit the institutions we are building today and will ultimately determine their success in the future. Therefore, investing in youth participation is an investment in the future relevance, vitality and effectiveness of CICA itself.
I encourage all participants to use this opportunity to exchange experiences openly, to learn from one another, and to develop practical recommendations that can help advance sustainable urban development across our region.
Most importantly, I encourage you to think beyond national borders and embrace a continental perspective. The challenges facing our cities whether related to climate change, digital transformation, mobility or social inclusion do not stop at borders. Their solutions require cooperation, innovation and a shared sense of responsibility.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am confident that the discussions held during this meeting will generate valuable ideas, while further strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation among the young people of Asia.
Together, let us empower the next generation to become architects of a more sustainable, innovative and peaceful future for our continent.
Thank you for your attention. I wish you fruitful deliberations and every success in your work.
