Baku to Host VII CICA Summit Under Azerbaijan's Chairmanship

Baku will host the VII Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which Azerbaijan chairs. Heads of state and government of member states, along with representatives of observer states and partner organisations, have been invited. Writing in Day.Az, deputy editor-in-chief Ali Gasymov says the summit will allow Baku to expand dialogue with Asian states, promote its own initiatives and strengthen its role in international processes.

CICA was created on Kazakhstan's initiative in 1992 and now includes 28 states. According to the article, one of the tasks of Azerbaijan's chairmanship is developing the organisation into a full-fledged international organisation, and work is under way on a draft Charter that would define the foundations of its activities. Azerbaijan's priorities include digitalisation, strengthening trust and security, developing transport links and expanding economic cooperation.

Within CICA, Azerbaijan coordinates a working area on developing safe and efficient transport corridors, with China and India serving as co-coordinators. The article highlights the Middle Corridor across the Caspian Sea as a key route linking China and Central Asia with the Caucasus and European markets.