亚洲之声

VOICE OF ASIA CICA Digest CICA Ministerial Council underAzerbaijani Chairmanship chartsnew institutional path with Inauguration of the new CICAHeadquarters in Astana CICA Senior Officials Committeeconvenes in Astana, marking Asia’s Future in Focus: 13th CICA ThinkTank Forum in Baku Bridging regional cooperation:CICA at the SCO 2025 Summit Deputy Secretary General participatesin seminar on "Women’s Role and Foreword Dear readers, Withprofound gratitude and a deepsenseof responsibility,I share thesereflections as the Shanghai Institutes forInternational Studies (SIIS) concludes itstenure as Chair of the CICA Think TankForum (TTF) from 2022 to 2025. TheForum’s journey, however, began muchearlier. Established in 2014 under thethoughtful guidance of leadership fromChinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs andthe generous support of scholars from For SIIS, serving as the inaugural Chairof this upgraded institution was both anhonor and a solemn responsibility. Thetransformation from a China-led initiativeintoa permanent CICA mechanism TheSecretariat’s support has beenindispensablethroughout this process.Secretary-GeneralKairatSarybay’spersonalparticipation in the Forum’smeetings, joined by senior officials fromacrossthe membership,reflected agenuinecommitment to hearing and TheForum’sprogressinrecentyearshas been inseparable from thecommitment of Member States and thesteadfastguidance of the Secretariat.The decision to elevate the Forum into apermanent dialogue platform was morethan an administrative change—it wasa profound expression of confidence inthe capacity of academic and strategiccommunities to deliver insights of lasting Craftinga Legacy of IntellectualCooperation 1. From Blueprint to Bedrock: Building aLasting Institution A defining achievement of this period wastheForum’s institutional consolidation. youth and women’s side events, creatingspacefor emerging forces to shaperegionalagendas.Their energy andcreativityenriched the wider dialogue, ThinkTank Forum of the Conferenceon Interaction and Confidence BuildingMeasuresin Asia in October 2021 3. Anticipating the Horizon: Asian Wisdom Withagreed rules and procedures,theForum has now matured into amultilateral mechanism embedded withinCICA’s framework, and is positioned toprovide consistent intellectual output andenduring support to CICA’s development.The introduction of Annual Action Plansensured that activities were not isolated Another defining feature of this periodhas been the Forum’s responsivenesstoemerging issues.The agenda hasconsistentlymirroredtheenduringconcerns of Member States—economicrecovery, regional security frameworks, Byexpanding into new domains,theForumhas shown Asia’s capacity toofferdistinctive contributions to globaldebates. As the proverb goes, “Give aman a fish and you feed him for a day;teach him to fish and you feed him for a 2. A Confluence of Minds: DeepeningDialogue and Forging Consensus The Forum has also distinguished itselfasa premier platform for exchange,bringing together scholars, policymakers, Duringthe global pandemic,whendialogueriskedfragmentation,SIISorganizedonline meetings in 2021and2022.These virtual gatheringsreflectedresilience and adaptability,keepingchannels open at a time of These efforts echo President Xi Jinping’svision for Global Governance Initiative—anchoredin equality,multilateralism,people-centeredapproaches,andpracticalaction.CICA itself embodiestheprincipleofconsultation,jointcontribution,andsharedbenefits,strengtheningsolidarityonregional Over time, the Forum has evolved fromavenue for academic discussion intoachannel that informs and shapespolicymaking.Open thematic groupsandhybrid formats have encouragedinteractiveparticipationanddeeper AsSIIS prepares to hand over thechairmanship, we do so with confidencein the Forum’s prospects. The next Chairwill be well placed to deepen specializedresearchthroughthematicgroups, 4. An Ever-Expanding Circle: Weaving a Equally striking has been the Forum’sgrowthas a network.In 2021,itencompassed 17 institutions; by 2025,ithad expanded to 25 think tanksrepresenting23 Member States.This As SIIS concludes its tenure, we takepridein the distance traveled,whilerecognizing the path that remains ahead.TheForum's evolution embodies theshared aspirations of Asian nations formeaningful dialogue, lasting peace, andmutualprosperity.Through continued To amplify its voice, SIIS established andmaintained a dedicated TTF website, nowan essential hub for showcasing research,introducingmember institutions,andpublicizing events. This digital presence A milestonecame in 2025,when the13thMeeting of the Forum convenedinBaku,Azerbaijan—the first time itwas held outside China. The seamlessorganizationand the warm hospitalityby our Azerbaijani host - the AIR Center,reflected the cooperative spirit of CICA.Mostsignificant was President Ilham Looking ahead, the Forum is poised to playan even greater role as CICA advancestowardfull international organizationst