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........

© AzerNews