By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia) Secretary General, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, visited the Republic of Korea on August 14-16, 2024 to hold a series of fruitful consultations with Korean counterparts.
The visit commenced with a meeting with former Ambassador of Korea to Kazakhstan Baek Joo-hyeon, a candidate for the CICA Council of Eminent Persons. The discussion focused on the importance of strengthening multilateral diplomacy and exploring the potential of CICA to enhance confidence and cooperation throughout Asia.
The in-depth dialogue with Kang Young-shin, Director-General for Northeast and Central Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of South Korea, focused on the importance of transforming CICA through statutory changes and budgetary and human resource reforms, including proposals for mandatory financial contributions.
The Secretary General praised the Korean side for regular financial contributions and commended the coordinating role of the ROK in the priority areas of energy security and information technology. The upcoming meetings of the CICA Ministerial Council, Ministerial Conference on Environmental Issues and Rally of Volunteer Movement Leaders were also discussed.
The CICA Secretary General also met with Ambassador Choe Hyoung-chan, the new Chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Focusing on the transformation of CICA and its role in promoting Korea's global standing Kairat Sarybay encouraged the Academy to join the CICA Think Tank Forum and suggested conducting capacity building trainings for CICA Member States and the CICA Secretariat’s staff.
During the meeting with President of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Ambassador Chang Won Sam, the Secretary General elaborated on ways for Korea to support CICA confidence building measures as well as the operationalization of the CICA Fund. It was also agreed to seek synergy in international assistance projects, possibly involving the CICA Secretariat and KazAID – a partner organization of KOICA.
In conclusion, Secretary General Sarybay met with some CICA Ambassadors in Seoul, briefing them on key achievements of CICA in 2020-2024 and the outlook for the future.
This is the second visit to South Korea of Ambassador Sarybay since he became the head of the CICA Secretariat in 2020. The Republic of Korea remains one of the largest contributors to the Secretariat’s budget.
