Bishkek, 16-17 June 2025 – Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Ambassador Kairat Sarybay paid a working visit to Bishkek to hold consultations with the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as members of several CICA institutions.
At the meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Meder Abakirov, CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay emphasized the historical significance of the signing of the agreement on the trijunction point of the state borders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on 31 March 2025 in Khujand resulting from the trilateral meeting of the heads of state. This step was pointed out as a clear example of constructive dialogue, regional cooperation, confidence building and stability enhancement – principles that underpin CICA’s mission across the Asian continent.
The parties discussed key issues on the agenda of the upcoming informal meeting of the CICA Ministerial Council, which is scheduled to be held on 25 September 2025 in New York under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan. Mr. Abakirov confirmed the Kyrgyz Republic’s support for the efforts of the Chairmanship to transform CICA into a full-fledged international organization, including the ongoing work on the draft Charter.
Addressing the priorities of the current Chairmanship, the Secretary General provided an overview of the institutions under discussion among the Member States as part of the organization’s further institutional development. The parties also explored ways to enhance the participation of the Kyrgyz Republic in existing CICA advisory bodies, including the Business Council, the Youth Council, the Think Tank Forum and the Partnership Network of Leading Universities.
In the context of regional security, the Secretary General stressed the importance of increasing joint efforts to promote sustainable development in Afghanistan, including through existing mechanisms such as the CICA Fund.
During his visit to Bishkek, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay met with Deputy Minister of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic Marat Tagaev. The Secretary General informed his counterpart about the upcoming meeting of the CICA Youth Council and a series of related events scheduled to take place in Baku this October. It was emphasized that Member States are showing a growing interest in volunteerism as a new confidence building measure. The potential of the Kyrgyz Republic as co-coordinator of the CICA human dimension was noted.
The development prospects of the CICA Partnership Network of Leading Universities (PNLU) were the central focus of the meeting between the Secretary General and First Vice-Rector of the Jusup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University Mr. Alaibek Shamshiev, who represents Kyrgyzstan on the PNLU Coordination Council. During the conversation, it was underscored that participation in the Coordination Council offers broad opportunities to enhance international visibility through academic exchanges and joint research within the framework of the PNLU, engage with the CICA Youth Council and take part in initiatives such as the international rally of volunteers, which will take place in Baku on 21 October 2025 under the auspices of the Azerbaijani Chairmanship. Mr. Shamshiev expressed interest in further developing the partnership and confirmed his readiness to provide the facilities of the Kyrgyz National University for hosting a PNLU event as part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s leading higher education institution.
Furthermore, during his visit, the Secretary General held substantive discussions with Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Latif Gandilov and Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Rapil Zhoshybaev. Among the issues discussed was the initiative to establish a CICA Alley in Bishkek, with the participation of the diplomatic corps and volunteers from local youth organizations.
