8 April 2025 – Astana – Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Nauman Bashir Bhatti, handed over the instrument of ratification of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Secretariat, its Personnel, and Representatives of Members of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to the Secretary General, H.E. Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, during an official ceremony held at the CICA Secretariat.
This significant act represents a pivotal step toward the Convention’s entry into force and reflects Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the advancement of CICA’s legal and institutional foundations. The privileges and immunities granted by the Convention are an essential institutional feature, as they facilitate the effective functioning of the Secretariat, ensure the smooth work of its personnel, and enable the representatives of Member States to participate freely in CICA meetings.
To date, the total number of Member States that have completed this process has reached thirteen — including Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, and Türkiye — with significant momentum gained over the past two years, as Bangladesh, China, Jordan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and the State of Palestine joined as ratifying parties. These advancements have brought the Convention to the threshold of its entry into force, with just one more ratification needed to activate this vital legal instrument.
Secretary General Sarybay expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government of Pakistan for its continued and constructive engagement with CICA. He emphasized that Pakistan’s proactive support serves as a commendable example for other Member States and expressed hope that the remaining ratification would soon be secured, enabling the Convention to enter into force in the near future.
Read the full statement by CICA Secretary General, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay: https://www.s-cica.org/index.php?view=page&t=speeches&id=311
