TASHKENT, October 14. /Dunyo IA/. On October 14-15^th, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a working visit to Azerbaijan to attend the regular Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to be held in Baku, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

As one of the founding member states of CICA, Uzbekistan actively participates in the activities of the forum. The country’s role within the organization has significantly expanded, particularly following the year 2017.

At the CICA summits held in Dushanbe in 2019 and Astana in 2022, the President of Uzbekistan put forward a number of initiatives aimed at taking into account new geopolitical realities, strengthening regional security, and expanding economic ties.

Proposals and initiatives voiced at these meetings are of crucial importance for determining the further vectors of development of the organization and elevating cooperation in ensuring peace, security, and sustainable development in Asia to a new level.

Turning to the history of CICA, the initiative to establish this forum was set forth on October 5^th, 1992, at the 47^th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The primary objective of the initiative was to develop common approaches to ensuring security in Asia and to forge an atmosphere of trust among states. Since then, the organization has progressively evolved and transformed into a regional platform for dialogue on security, economic, environmental and humanitarian cooperation.

Today, CICA comprises 28 member states. The organization undertakes large-scale efforts to develop relations with the UN, OSCE, SCO, and other international structures.

In recent years, Asia has been emerging as one of the pivotal centers of international politics and the global economy. Intensified geopolitical competition in the region, armed conflicts, terrorism, transnational crime, climate change, water and food security challenges, alongside new threats stemming from digital technologies, demand further expansion of cooperation among states.

Under such conditions, the significance of CICA is growing. The organization advances key initiatives toward promoting political dialogue, strengthening mutual trust and peacefully resolving common problems.

Principal significance of the Baku Summit lies in its mandate to define the future status and capabilities of the organization. In particular, the transformation of CICA into a full-fledged international organization, the strengthening of its legal framework and the enhancement of practical outcomes of partnership constitute critical components of the summit agenda.

Amid the complex geopolitical situation in the world, the adoption of comprehensively reasoned and effective decisions assumes special significance. From this perspective, Baku Summit is of great importance for building trust among states and ensuring a timely and adequate response of CICA to contemporary threats.

During the Chairmanship of Azerbaijan in 2024–2026, particular attention is being paid to this process. The motto put forward by Baku, “A Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalization and Sustainable Growth in Asia,” reflects the priorities for the further development of the organization.

Ensuring security and stability in Asia is not limited solely to political agreements. Development of trade, investment, transport, and technological ties among states also constitutes an important factor of regional stability. In this context, during the Chairmanship of Azerbaijan, special emphasis is being placed on transport connectivity and digitalization.

At the summit held in Astana in 2022, Uzbekistan put forward proposals to establish a high-level international negotiation group on Afghanistan, launch the “Dialogue of Generations” format and develop transport connectivity.

The initiatives of the Head of our State to expand cooperation in the field of digitalization and innovation, strengthen food security, as well as conduct regular expert consultations within the framework of the “Green Asia” program have also generated significant interest.

Practical implementation of these proposals was demonstrated by the holding of the “Dialogue of Generations” in October 2023 in Samarkand within the framework of the 6^th meeting of the CICA Youth Council.

Priority interests of Uzbekistan within the framework of CICA are primarily associated with ensuring peace and stability in Central Asia, developing dialogue on the Afghan issue, expanding transport and transit capabilities, strengthening food and environmental security, as well as advancing cooperation in the field of digital technologies.

From this perspective, Baku Summit provides Uzbekistan with an opportunity to put forward initiatives that align with national and regional interests, reach practical agreements with partner states and actively participate in the systemic development of CICA.

Planned hosting of the high-level CICA forum dedicated to human rights and artificial intelligence in Tashkent in 2027 testifies to the fact that our country is developing initiatives oriented toward human interests.

This initiative can be evolved as an effective tool for strengthening regional dialogue on human rights protection, the safe and purposeful utilization of artificial intelligence, as well as ensuring inclusive digital development.

The most expedient approach for Uzbekistan at the Baku Summit lies in supporting the organizational and legal transformation of CICA and attaching paramount importance to its practical results. To this end, it is vital to complement cooperation in the fields of transport, digitalization, human rights, youth policy and environmental security with concrete projects, expert dialogue, and mechanisms for regular exchange of experience.

Baku CICA Summit constitutes a major political event in terms of developing multilateral cooperation in Asia and defining the future vectors of the organization's development.

Efficacy of the summit will primarily depend on reaching concrete agreements regarding the transformation of the organization, strengthening its legal and institutional framework, as well as enriching the cooperation with practical projects.

For Uzbekistan, this summit is of paramount importance from the perspective of ensuring regional security, expanding transport and transit capabilities, developing digital and environmental cooperation, as well as promoting human-interest-oriented initiatives.

Most importantly, the further evolution of CICA should contribute not only to strengthening mutual trust among states, but also to transforming the forum into an effective mechanism for regional cooperation that delivers concrete, practical results.