7 March 2025 – The first-ever project under the Fund of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was approved by its Project Review Committee. The project 'Advancing Wheat Cultivation for Sustainable Development in Central Afghanistan,' was proposed by the Republic of Kazakhstan and jointly drafted by CICA and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), marking a significant milestone in regional cooperation for sustainable development.
The project provided 15 metric tons of certified spring wheat seeds and 45 metric tons of fertilizers to 300 vulnerable farmers in central Afghanistan, supporting communities facing ongoing humanitarian crises and natural hazards. Co-financed by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the CICA Fund, and IOFS, the initiative aims to enhance food security, foster agricultural self-sufficiency, and address the root causes of regional challenges.
The official inauguration ceremony took place in Pul-i-Alam, the administrative center of Logar Province, where key officials and representatives from international organizations highlighted the project's significance in promoting resilience and enhancing regional cooperation. This initiative underscores CICA’s dedication to addressing critical challenges through collective action, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and practical cooperative solutions.
The objective of the CICA Fund is to finance development projects, humanitarian assistance and other project activities implemented within the framework of CICA. It operates based on the principles of transparency, voluntariness, consensus and accountability to Member States. Iraq became the first Member State to contribute to the Fund, setting a precedent for future collaborative efforts among CICA members.
