Jeyhun Bayramov attends informal meeting of CICA Council of Foreign Ministers

On September 25, an informal meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was held under Azerbaijan's chairmanship in New York City within the high-level week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

Report informs that during the meeting, the foreign ministers and other high-level representatives of CICA member states discussed the progress achieved during Azerbaijan's CICA Chairmanship since December 2024 and exchanged views on current regional and international issues.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, in his capacity as the Chairman of the CICA Ministerial Council, delivered an opening speech highlighting the Chairmanship's strategic priorities in various areas, including connectivity, digitalization, and sustainability.

In his speech, the minister provided information about the efforts and progress made towards CICA's institutional development and its transformation into a full-fledged international organization.

In this framework, he emphasized the launch of the CICA Partnership Network of Leading Universities, an innovative cooperation platform among higher education institutions of CICA member states, as well as the successful organization of the CICA Business Council and Business Forum, and the 13th CICA Think Tank Forum in Azerbaijan.

The minister also highlighted the importance of Azerbaijan's key initiatives, including the flagship initiative to establish the CICA Women's Council and the progress made towards establishing the CICA Financial Summit. It was noted that the creation of these new advisory bodies would strengthen thematic cooperation among member states.

The CICA Secretary General and heads of delegations of CICA member states made statements. The speakers highly appreciated the exemplary leadership, vision, and commitment of Azerbaijan's Chairmanship to strengthening CICA.

Member states highlighted the Chairmanship's efforts in institutionalization and promoting result-oriented interaction within CICA. They expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan's initiatives in advancing key projects and noted that these initiatives would significantly increase CICA's effectiveness as a platform for dialogue, confidence-building, and multilateral cooperation throughout Asia.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of landmark decisions, particularly the establishment of two new advisory bodies – the CICA Financial Summit and the CICA Women's Council.

The Ministerial Council also adopted statements on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the establishment of the United Nations. Through these statements, CICA member states respectfully commemorated the historic sacrifices made for victory in World War II and reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism. They emphasized CICA's role as a platform for dialogue, confidence-building, and cooperation in promoting peace, security, and sustainable development in Asia and beyond. The Ministerial Council's Statement highly appreciated the efforts of Azerbaijan's CICA Chairmanship.

Azerbaijan has been chairing CICA, Asia's largest regional platform with 28 member states, for a two-year term since December 2024. As a continuation of exemplary leadership in various multilateral formats, Azerbaijan's CICA Chairmanship has announced the promotion of dialogue and result-oriented cooperation in the CICA region as a priority under the motto "Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalization and Sustainable Development in Asia."