Bangkok, 27 February 2026 – The Institute of Asian Studies of Chulalongkorn University, in partnership with the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), hosted the first-ever CICA Alley tree-planting ceremony outside the organization’s host country. The event entitled “CICA Alley at Chula: Tree Planting for Multilateral Cooperation and Sustainable Growth in Asia” marked a significant milestone in the expansion of this confidence building initiative across Asia.
Held at Chulalongkorn University’s Centenary Park, the event gathered members of the diplomatic corps representing CICA Member States and Observer States, ASEAN partners and United Nations entities in Bangkok, alongside the Chula community.
Launched in Astana in June 2021, CICA Alley was conceived as a forward-looking initiative combining environmental stewardship with confidence building. Originally initiated during the Kazakh Chairmanship, the project envisaged the establishment of CICA Alleys not only in the host country, but progressively in other Member States’ capitals. The establishment of the first Alley beyond Kazakhstan signals the growing ownership of CICA’s agenda by its Member States across the region and reflects Thailand’s proactive role as coordinator of the Sustainable development priority area and its contribution to strengthening multilateral cooperation in Asia.
In his remarks, CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay expressed sincere appreciation to Professor Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, Associate Professor Pavika Sriratanaban, Executive Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, and the broader Chula community for elevating the initiative to a new level.
A distinctive feature of the Bangkok ceremony was the planting of the “Kaew” (orange jasmine) tree, generously provided by the hosts. The Secretary General noted that in Thai culture “Kaew” symbolizes positive peace rooted in trust, cooperation and constructive relationships — values that closely reflect the underlying philosophy of CICA. He emphasized that just as the Kaew flourishes through attentive cultivation, sustainability and cooperation across Asia must be nurtured through collective action, dialogue and shared responsibility.
Highlighting the broader significance of the ceremony, the Secretary General observed that while the planting of trees enriches the green landscape of Bangkok, it also demonstrates CICA’s bridge-building role — connecting Member States, Observer States and multilateral organizations, as well as academic institutions and younger generations. The initiative illustrates how even small, tangible steps can contribute to greater strategic goals of stability, connectivity and sustainable growth.
The ceremony also featured remarks by H.E. Mr. Elchin Bashirov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Thailand, representing the current CICA Chairmanship, which commenced in December 2024. The Chairmanship’s priorities — connectivity, digitalization and sustainable growth in Asia — find practical expression in initiatives such as CICA Alley, linking environmental sustainability with multilateral engagement and academic partnership.
The program combined official remarks and a ceremonial presentation with a flag procession of CICA Member States led by Chulalongkorn University students, followed by the collective planting of Kaew trees by senior officials, diplomats and members of the university community — a visual expression of unity in diversity and confidence building in action.
