Co-organized by the Center for Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) and the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), the second day of the 13th meeting of the CICA Think Tank Forum, themed “Resonance of Development and Security: Regional Cooperation and Governance in the Institutional Transformation of CICA,” continued its work with sessions.
The meeting, moderated by Madina Igibayeva, a military-political analyst of the CICA Secretariat, saw discussions on the topic “CICA as an International Organization—Transformation and Capacity Building.”
In his remarks, Mohammad Ashique Rahman, Senior Research Fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIIS), highlighted the critical importance of holding this Forum, noting that the world is currently facing numerous problems and conflicts, with some regions at risk of becoming active conflict zones.
He also drew attention to the need for CICA to involve young people in this process, emphasizing their crucial role. "Asian countries have enough talented young people, and we must harness their potential. Our primary goal is to develop a robust work plan grounded in international values and build sustainable cooperation mechanisms. For research centers, these forums are a valuable source of information. Ultimately, our task is to foster cooperation mechanisms that ensure sustainable development," the representative of Bangladesh emphasized.
Wang Zhen, Deputy Director at the China Institute of International Relation Studies, stressed the need for a sustainable and stable platform to transform the CICA.
He called for a gradual, phased, and consensus-based process to transform CICA into a full-fledged international organization, saying that this transformation should involve a structured, inclusive, and transparent negotiation process aimed at strengthening result-oriented and consensus-based multilateral cooperation. Wang underlined that this collaboration should extend to other states and organizations that share the same goals.
Noting that the world is experiencing significant shifts in power, with increasing multipolarity over the last decade, Wang Zhen said he believes that rapidly developing nations will soon play a more influential role in international relations.
In her remarks, Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Acting Director General of the Indian Council of World Affairs, emphasized that CICA can serve as a valuable platform for finding joint solutions to regional challenges, including terrorism, environmental issues and poverty. She highlighted CICA's role in facilitating cooperation among member states to address pressing issues facing the continent. She concluded by saying that the centers in India actively participate in all discussions of this Forum and work towards enhancing cooperation.
Other notable speakers also highlighted CICA's evolution from a dialogue forum to a fully-fledged international organization, describing it as a "historic transformation" supported by member states through a detailed roadmap.
The meeting continued with discussions.
