CICA and security: Baku as a platform of global trust

Another significant international event is taking place in Baku — the 13th Session of the Forum of Think Tanks of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). Notably, Azerbaijan currently holds the chairmanship of CICA, and the importance of this session is evident from its title: “Resonance of Development and Security: Regional Cooperation and Governance in the Institutional Transformation of CICA.”

A crucial detail is that this forum is being held outside China for the first time. This fact speaks volumes both in terms of Azerbaijan’s overall geopolitical authority and the special relations between Baku and Beijing in particular. President Ilham Aliyev’s address to the participants carried a distinctly programmatic character.

Before highlighting specific aspects, it is important to outline the CICA paradigm, which was clearly reflected in remarks made on the sidelines of the session by the organisation’s Secretary-General, Kairat Sarybay. He described CICA as the only pan-Asian organisation focused on comprehensive security, covering five areas of interaction: military-political, economic, environmental, humanitarian, and new challenges and threats. Sarybay identified the organisation’s main mission as strengthening trust among member states, including the implementation of practical measures and initiatives at the local level involving youth, women, and business representatives. Without such measures, he stressed, ensuring security is simply impossible.

Acknowledging CICA’s ongoing transformation, Kairat Sarybay emphasised the need to enhance the effectiveness of its institutional framework, which would allow the organisation to become a fully-fledged international body operating within more structured and multilateral frameworks. In this context, the Secretary-General expressed confidence that Azerbaijan’s chairmanship would make a significant contribution to CICA’s future.

Notably, Sarybay’s final point draws on Azerbaijan’s impressive track record of leading major international organisations, including the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). During Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, NAM achieved notable institutional development, including the creation, for the first time in over 60 years, of Parliamentary and Youth Networks. Simultaneously, Baku initiated the establishment of NAM’s women’s and media platforms. Sarybay’s confidence that Azerbaijan will similarly contribute to CICA’s future by strengthening its institutional base therefore appears entirely justified. In the same context, he highlighted the elevation of the regional climate diplomacy conducted in Baku at COP29 to a new level.

Of the 44 confidence-building measures planned for 2025 under CICA, approximately 20 were proposed by Baku (reflecting the multilateral interests of all member states). These initiatives include: cooperation in the fields of economy and digitalisation; implementation of the “Closed-Loop Green Tourism” project; activities aimed at preserving the shared values and traditions of member states; strengthening scientific and educational cooperation through the creation of a Partnership Network of leading universities; the introduction of humanitarian demining as a new confidence-building measure within CICA; and more.

Even this incomplete list of planned projects demonstrates Azerbaijan’s role in strengthening CICA’s authority. As President Ilham Aliyev noted in his address to the participants of the 13th Session of the Forum of Think Tanks, Azerbaijan approaches its chairmanship with great responsibility, guided by the motto: “A Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalization, and Sustainable Growth in Asia.” The president emphasised that CICA, covering 90% of the Asian continent and bringing together 28 member states, is a key institution for building trust in the region and promoting interstate cooperation.

Regarding the institutionalisation of CICA as an international organisation, President Aliyev identified this as one of Azerbaijan’s top priorities during its chairmanship. In addition, he highlighted other strategic areas, including strengthening CICA’s organisational capacity and its role within the system of international relations. Concurrently, Baku has planned to hold a financial summit under CICA, establish a Women’s Council, a Council for Sustainable Connectivity, and a CICA Climate Council.

In line with the vision outlined by the Azerbaijani president, experts have already recognised that all the announced objectives will be implemented at the highest level, providing a new impetus to CICA’s activities.

Regarding the current Forum, which is being held with the participation of prominent think tanks, President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the 13th Session would make a valuable contribution to discussions on global issues on CICA’s agenda. As he emphasised, cooperation among the analytical centres of CICA member states opens promising prospects for strengthening mutual understanding between countries and peoples, as well as deepening regional integration.

As usual, in his address, President Aliyev also highlighted key aspects of the global agenda. In particular, he drew attention to the rapid emergence of Asia as one of the world’s centres of power—not only in terms of economic potential but also regarding its influence on global processes. In this context, the president once again stressed the importance of active participation by Global South countries in shaping a new, fair world order, including ensuring representation of these states among the permanent members of the UN Security Council.

This emphasis by the head of state reflects Azerbaijan’s consistent commitment to countering injustice against Global South countries, including by initiating support for anti-colonial movements worldwide—for example, through the unique activities of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG).

Overall, hosting the 13th Session of the CICA Think Tanks Forum in Baku once again demonstrated Azerbaijan’s international authority, as the country tirelessly organises major global events on its territory, including the traditional International Global Forum, the Summit of Heads of ECO Member States, and many others. The remarkable outcomes of COP29, widely recognised as the “Baku Breakthrough,” further cemented this reputation. Next month, Baku will host the OTS Summit, and next year it is scheduled to hold the 13th Session of the UN World Cities Forum, as well as OIC and CICA summits on Azerbaijani soil. According to President Ilham Aliyev, all of this clearly reflects Azerbaijan’s emergence as a reliable global platform for events of international significance.

Against this backdrop, Baku’s promotion of a peaceful regional agenda creates excellent opportunities not only for the South Caucasus but for a broader geographic scope. In this context, the President highlighted Azerbaijan’s development as a major transport and logistics hub in Eurasia, integrating major geopolitical projects such as the North–South and East–West corridors. Within this framework, the Zangezur Corridor (also referred to as the Trump Route — TRIPP), as a branch of the Middle Corridor, is seen as a significant transport artery connecting distant regions of the world.

Baku has once again emerged as a powerful geopolitical actor while demonstrating to all stakeholders the pathways for strengthening CICA. It can be stated with confidence that, much like its leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan will not only consolidate its own position but also elevate CICA to a new political and economic level.