WNAM REPORT: The 13th Meeting of the Think Tank Forum of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), held recently in Baku, marked a significant milestone for Azerbaijan and the broader Asian region. For the first time, this prestigious forum convened outside China, underscoring Azerbaijan’s rising diplomatic profile and its growing role as a pivotal Eurasian hub bridging East and West.
President Ilham Aliyev welcomed participants with a clear message on Azerbaijan’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation, peace, and sustainable development under the banner of CICA. His remarks reflected not only Azerbaijan’s diplomatic ambitions but also its vision of Asia’s evolving geopolitical and economic landscape.
In his opening speech, President Aliyev highlighted the importance of think tanks as catalysts for informed policy-making. “In the modern world, think tanks play a vital role in the development of states and societies,” he noted, emphasizing their contribution to tackling complex global challenges ranging from security to climate change.
Azerbaijan’s hosting of the forum reflects its strategic position at the crossroads of major transport corridors and its active engagement in multilateral diplomacy. “Situated along the East-West and North-South corridors, Azerbaijan is emerging as one of the most important transport and logistics hubs in Eurasia,” President Aliyev stated, underscoring the significance of infrastructure projects like the Zangezur Corridor and the Middle Corridor in connecting continents and facilitating regional integration.
The country’s upcoming chairmanship of CICA from 2024 to 2026 promises to deepen this engagement. President Ilham Aliyev outlined ambitious priorities: formalizing CICA’s institutional status, expanding cooperation into digitalization and sustainable growth, and launching new councils focused on finance, women’s issues, connectivity, and climate action. These initiatives reflect Azerbaijan’s holistic approach to regional development and governance.
CICA Secretary General Kairat Saribay emphasized the forum’s mission to foster trust as the foundation for regional security. “It is impossible to ensure security without mutual trust,” Saribay said, highlighting Azerbaijan’s role in steering CICA’s institutional transformation into a fully-fledged international organization.
Scholars and experts echoed this vision. Chen Dongxiao, President of the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, praised Azerbaijan’s geographical and strategic importance, noting the country’s readiness to spur regional prosperity through strengthened relations. Farid Shafiyev, chairman of Azerbaijan’s Center for the Analysis of International Relations, underscored Azerbaijan’s proactive role in advancing CICA’s agenda beyond its traditional base in China by hosting the forum in Baku for the first time.
Other analysts, including Jirayudh Sinthuphan and Kirill Babayev, highlighted the imperative for inclusive governance and comprehensive security platforms to manage Asia’s evolving challenges—from cybersecurity to geopolitical fragmentation. Babayev’s call for “mutual respect” and partnerships that include both large and small states aligns with Azerbaijan’s diplomatic philosophy of balanced regional cooperation.
Azerbaijan’s geopolitical and economic significance in Eurasia
Azerbaijan’s integration into regional transport networks, notably the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the broader Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, positions the country as a vital Eurasian corridor. The increase in transit volumes – 86% growth along the Middle Corridor in 2024 alone – reflects the success of Azerbaijan’s connectivity initiatives.
This strategic geography supports President Aliyev’s vision of the Zangezur Corridor as a new artery linking continents, promoting economic interdependence and stability. Such infrastructure projects not only foster trade but also contribute to confidence-building among CICA member states, reinforcing the forum’s mission to intertwine security and development.
As the new Chair of CICA for the 2024–2026 biennium, Azerbaijan will oversee the organization’s activities and host two landmark events: the Seventh Meeting of the CICA Ministerial Council in late 2024, marking the official start of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, and the much-anticipated CICA Summit in 2026.
On December 17, 2024, Azerbaijan successfully hosted the 7th Meeting of the CICA Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in an online format, during which the chairmanship was formally transferred to Baku. Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov outlined Azerbaijan’s vision under the theme “Stronger CICA – Connectivity, Digitalization, and Sustainable Growth in Asia.” He emphasized three core priorities: advancing CICA’s institutional transformation, deepening sectoral cooperation through confidence-building measures, and fostering synergy between CICA and other international and regional organizations.
Minister Bayramov also highlighted that over 20 chairmanship events are planned for 2025, spanning all five dimensions of CICA cooperation. These initiatives will focus on critical areas such as transport corridor development, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, agricultural advancement, cybersecurity, environmental protection, youth engagement, tourism, cultural heritage preservation, humanitarian mine action, and scientific and educational collaboration.
This ambitious agenda reflects the full confidence of CICA member states in Azerbaijan’s leadership and recognizes its steadfast commitment to promoting peace, stability, and regional cooperation across Asia. Under Azerbaijan’s stewardship, CICA is poised not only to strengthen mutual trust but also to enhance practical cooperation across this diverse and strategically vital continent.
As Azerbaijan assumes full chairmanship, it approaches the role with clear objectives: strengthening CICA’s institutional framework, promoting sustainable development, and fostering digital and financial cooperation. President Aliyev’s vision marries regional peace initiatives, advocacy for the Global South, and Eurasian connectivity, positioning Azerbaijan as a dynamic actor in shaping Asia’s future.
The success of the 13th Think Tank Forum in Baku signals a broader transformation – a recognition that effective regional governance demands diverse voices, innovative approaches, and inclusive partnerships. Under Azerbaijan’s leadership, CICA is set to evolve into a more impactful platform, capable of addressing Asia’s complex challenges with renewed vigor and cooperation.
