The CICA Secretariat hosted a heartfelt event for the diplomatic corps of Astana to bid farewell to Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Mr. Kanat Tumysh, the outgoing Chair of the CICA Senior Officials Committee, who has been appointed as Ambassador to Viet Nam, and to welcome his successor Mr. Alibek Bakayev, newly appointed Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan responsible for CICA who was previously the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Austria and Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna.
CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay emphasized the pivotal role played by Ambassador Kanat Tumysh in the CICA process, including his instrumental involvement in drafting the Road Map for CICA Transformation, a task entrusted to the CICA Chairmanship by the Sixth CICA Summit in October 2022. Ambassador Sarybay expressed his confidence that Ambassador Tumysh would continue his contribution to CICA, as Viet Nam is its Member State, and would be a valuable asset in strengthening CICA's relations with ASEAN.
Ambassador Kanat Tumysh, reflecting on his previous deep engagement with CICA, including as Deputy Executive Director of CICA in 2010-2014, expressed great satisfaction with the progress made by CICA to date. He conveyed his confidence that, through the collective efforts of Member States, CICA would achieve its noble objectives of ensuring peace, prosperity and security in Asia.
Deputy Minister Alibek Bakayev, who was also working closely with CICA from 2012 to 2019, extended warm greetings to the ambassadors of CICA Member States and representatives of Observer States and international organizations and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the CICA process. He highlighted good progress achieved by CICA in preparation for the upcoming Informal Meeting of the CICA Ministerial Council in New York on 21 September 2023, which is expected to adopt important decisions, including the Road Map for CICA Transformation.
The Ambassador of Palestine Dr. Muntasir Abu Zeid, as the Dean of the diplomatic corps of Astana, expressed deep appreciation to Ambassador Tumysh, the Kazakh Chairmanship and the CICA Secretariat for their dedicated efforts to advance the CICA agenda, warmly welcomed Ambassador Bakayev in his new role, presented a painting and to CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay.
CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay announced that the presented painting would be prominently displayed at the new building of the CICA Headquarters in Astana, which will be constructed next year upon the instruction of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
