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NEWS JUST IN: Azerbaijani Ambassador Sultan Hajiyev Appointed CICA Secretary-General Just 10 Days After Kenya–Azerbaijan Bilateral Milestones Were Highlighted
The appointment of Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Kenya, Sultan Hajiyev, to lead a major Asian multilateral forum marks a significant diplomatic development, as Nairobi and Baku continue to explore opportunities for stronger bilateral cooperation.
NAIROBI, Kenya / BAKU, Azerbaijan | 20 October 2026 | K254 Media Africa
In a significant development in international diplomacy, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kenya Sultan Hajiyev has been appointed Secretary-General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) for the 2026–2030 term.
The appointment was approved during the Seventh CICA Summit, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 15 October 2026, placing the experienced Azerbaijani diplomat at the helm of a multilateral platform dedicated to strengthening dialogue, confidence-building, peace and security across Asia.
The development comes just 10 days after 5 October 2026, when attention was drawn to the milestones and emerging opportunities in Kenya–Azerbaijan bilateral relations, offering a timely perspective on the intersection of diplomatic engagement, international cooperation and Africa’s expanding global partnerships.
According to the CICA Secretariat, member states unanimously supported Hajiyev’s candidacy, which had been nominated by Azerbaijan. He succeeds Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, whose six-year tenure as Secretary-General has concluded.
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently congratulated Hajiyev on his appointment, expressing confidence in his ability to advance CICA’s objectives of strengthening dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation across Asia.
''Congratulations in order! Amb. Sultan Hajiyev,It's indeed a PROMOTION...Wishing You all the Level Best & Wins.
Now Bigger than Before
Many thanks for Having worked together & above All, Strategic Partnership Matters Kenya/Africa & Azerbaijan during Your Tenure here in Nairobi-Kenya.''
Remarks by; Muhoro Pius W, Director & CMO- K254 Media Africa, 19th Oct 2026
A NEW CHAPTER FOR MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY
Established following an initiative proposed by Kazakhstan in 1992, CICA has developed into a multilateral forum bringing together countries with diverse political, economic and security interests.
Its central objective is to promote peace, security and stability through dialogue, confidence-building measures and cooperation among participating states.
Unlike a military alliance, CICA operates as a diplomatic platform intended to encourage constructive engagement and peaceful approaches to shared challenges.
Its agenda spans several areas, including economic cooperation, environmental protection, human development, emerging threats and military-political confidence-building.
Hajiyev’s appointment comes at a particularly important moment for the organisation as it pursues institutional development and seeks to strengthen its contribution to regional and international cooperation.
The CICA Secretariat is headquartered in Astana, Kazakhstan, while the organisation’s Seventh Summit was hosted in Baku under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship.
BAKU SUMMIT DELIVERS KEY INSTITUTIONAL DECISIONS
Hajiyev’s appointment was among several important outcomes of the Seventh CICA Summit.
According to the CICA Secretariat and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the summit produced the following key developments:
- Appointment of Sultan Hajiyev: Member states approved his appointment as Secretary-General for the 2026–2030 term.
- Adoption of the Baku Declaration: The declaration reaffirmed participating states’ commitment to dialogue, cooperation and shared approaches to regional and global security challenges.
- Extension of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship: Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of CICA was extended for the 2026–2028 period.
- Laos joins as a full member: The Lao People’s Democratic Republic became CICA’s 29th member state.
- Progress on the Secretariat’s legal framework: Cambodia’s ratification of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the CICA Secretariat completed the process required for the convention to enter into force.
These outcomes reinforce Azerbaijan’s continuing role in shaping CICA’s institutional direction and advancing cooperation among its member states.
The summit also highlighted the importance of multilateralism, connectivity and sustainable development as countries confront increasingly complex regional and international challenges.
FROM NAIROBI TO A MULTILATERAL LEADERSHIP ROLE
For Kenya, Hajiyev’s appointment is a notable diplomatic development given his service as Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Kenya.
His diplomatic responsibilities in Nairobi have coincided with renewed efforts by Kenya and Azerbaijan to broaden their bilateral engagement beyond traditional diplomatic relations.
The two countries have been exploring opportunities for cooperation in trade and investment, energy, technology, agriculture, education, judicial cooperation and sustainable urban development.
High-level engagements, including Kenyan President William Ruto’s participation in the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum in Baku in May 2026, have provided additional opportunities for discussions on shared development priorities.
The two governments have also pursued engagement through diplomatic and institutional channels, creating opportunities to identify areas of mutual interest and strengthen cooperation between East Africa and the South Caucasus.
Against this backdrop, the timing of Hajiyev’s new appointment provides a compelling moment to examine the broader diplomatic landscape surrounding Kenya–Azerbaijan relations.
However, the two developments should be understood as separate events: the bilateral milestones reflect the evolving relationship between Nairobi and Baku, while Hajiyev’s CICA appointment is a multilateral decision approved by CICA member states.
WHY THE APPOINTMENT MATTERS TO AFRICA
Although CICA focuses on cooperation across Asia, its work carries implications beyond the continent.
Africa’s economic and diplomatic relationships increasingly extend across multiple regions, with countries seeking diversified trade partnerships, investment opportunities, technological cooperation and stronger representation in international decision-making.
Kenya, as a regional economic and diplomatic hub in East Africa, has an interest in constructive relations with countries across the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Azerbaijan’s engagement with African countries, alongside its participation in multilateral institutions, creates opportunities for dialogue on development, connectivity, energy, trade and international cooperation.
For K254 Media Africa, Hajiyev’s appointment therefore presents an opportunity to examine how diplomatic developments in one region can inform wider discussions about South–South cooperation, regional stability and international partnerships.
Nevertheless, the appointment does not automatically translate into new agreements or commitments between Kenya and Azerbaijan. Any future benefits will depend on the priorities pursued by the respective governments and the practical implementation of bilateral initiatives.
AN EXPERIENCED DIPLOMAT TAKES THE HELM
Hajiyev brings substantial diplomatic and international experience to the position.
According to the biography published by Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Nairobi, he has more than 28 years of experience as a government official and international civil servant.
His professional background includes work on foreign policy initiatives, international partnerships, post-conflict reconstruction, rehabilitation and humanitarian demining.
He has also worked within the United Nations system and served in complex emergency environments, including Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Such experience is relevant to an institution whose mandate places considerable emphasis on dialogue, confidence-building, cooperation and responses to shared regional challenges.
His new responsibilities will involve working with CICA member states and the organisation’s institutional structures to advance agreed priorities and strengthen the forum’s contribution to regional stability.
THE ROAD AHEAD: DIALOGUE, TRUST AND COOPERATION
As Hajiyev begins his four-year term, expectations will centre on the continued development of CICA as a platform for constructive engagement among its member states.
The organisation’s effectiveness will depend on the willingness of participating countries to translate declarations and diplomatic commitments into practical cooperation.
Areas such as connectivity, sustainable development, environmental cooperation and confidence-building offer potential avenues for further engagement.
For Kenya and Azerbaijan, the appointment also provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the importance of sustained diplomatic relationships and the potential for cooperation across regional boundaries.
The immediate significance of the development, however, lies in the formal appointment itself: an Azerbaijani diplomat serving in Kenya has been selected to lead a multilateral organisation focused on strengthening dialogue and confidence across Asia.
As K254 Media Africa continues to follow developments in international diplomacy, the appointment of Sultan Hajiyev offers a timely lens through which to examine the changing relationships between Africa, Asia and the wider international community.
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Sources: Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Secretariat; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Kenya; AZERTAC and Azerbaijani media reporting.
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ABOUT CICA: Objectives, Mandate and Member States
A K254 Media Africa diplomatic briefing | 20th October 2026
The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is a multilateral forum established to promote peace, security, stability and cooperation across Asia through dialogue, diplomacy and confidence-building measures.
The initiative was proposed by Kazakhstan's then-President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, on 5 October 1992, during the 47th session of the United Nations General Assembly. CICA's foundational documents are the 1999 Declaration on the Principles Guiding Relations between Member States and the 2002 Almaty Act.
As of October 2026, following the admission of Laos at the Seventh CICA Summit in Baku on 15 October, the organisation has 29 member states.
1. What are CICA's main objectives?
According to the official CICA Secretariat, its central objective is to strengthen cooperation among member states through multilateral approaches to peace, security and stability in Asia.
Its objectives include:
A. Peace, security and conflict prevention
- Promote peaceful relations among participating countries.
- Encourage dialogue to address disagreements and reduce tensions.
- Strengthen regional stability through cooperation and confidence-building.
- Support diplomatic approaches to emerging security challenges.
B. Diplomacy and mutual trust
- Build confidence between governments.
- Encourage consultation and constructive engagement.
- Promote respect for sovereignty and sovereign equality.
- Uphold non-interference in the internal affairs of member states.
C. Economic cooperation and trade
- Strengthen trade and investment relationships.
- Promote cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Improve transport connectivity and regional trade corridors.
- Encourage cooperation in energy, tourism, agriculture, finance and information technology.
D. Environmental protection and sustainable development
- Encourage cooperation on climate and environmental challenges.
- Support environmental protection and sustainable development.
- Promote disaster preparedness and management.
- Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and sustainable practices.
E. Human development
- Advance cooperation in areas affecting people's welfare and development.
- Encourage exchanges and collaboration among participating countries.
- Support initiatives that contribute to social and economic development.
F. Responding to emerging and transnational threats
CICA's framework also covers cooperation on:
- Counterterrorism.
- Cybersecurity and the security of information and communications technologies.
- Illicit drug trafficking.
- Public health and epidemiological safety.
- Other emerging threats requiring regional cooperation.
These objectives are implemented through CICA's Catalogue of Confidence-Building Measures, which organises cooperation across five broad dimensions: military-political affairs, economic cooperation, the environment, human development, and new challenges and threats.
2. CICA's 29 member states
The following is the membership following the Seventh Summit in Baku on 15 October 2026, when Laos officially became the organisation's 29th member.
| No. | Member state | Geographic region |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Afghanistan | South/Central Asia |
| 2 | Azerbaijan | South Caucasus |
| 3 | Bahrain | West Asia |
| 4 | Bangladesh | South Asia |
| 5 | Cambodia | Southeast Asia |
| 6 | China | East Asia |
| 7 | Egypt | North Africa/West Asian diplomatic engagement |
| 8 | India | South Asia |
| 9 | Iran | West Asia |
| 10 | Iraq | West Asia |
| 11 | Israel | West Asia |
| 12 | Jordan | West Asia |
| 13 | Kazakhstan | Central Asia |
| 14 | Kuwait | West Asia |
| 15 | Kyrgyzstan | Central Asia |
| 16 | Laos | Southeast Asia |
| 17 | Mongolia | East/Central Asia |
| 18 | Pakistan | South Asia |
| 19 | Palestine | West Asia |
| 20 | Qatar | West Asia |
| 21 | Republic of Korea (South Korea) | East Asia |
| 22 | Russia | Eurasia |
| 23 | Sri Lanka | South Asia |
| 24 | Tajikistan | Central Asia |
| 25 | Thailand | Southeast Asia |
| 26 | Türkiye | Transcontinental: Europe and Asia |
| 27 | United Arab Emirates | West Asia |
| 28 | Uzbekistan | Central Asia |
| 29 | Vietnam | Southeast Asia |
Important: This is the membership following the 2026 summit, rather than the older 28-member list still displayed on some CICA webpages. The Seventh Summit's official announcement confirms Laos's admission as the 29th member.
Does CICA have observer states?
Yes. In addition to its member states, CICA has observer countries and international organisations that participate in its activities. The Secretariat's general overview lists 10 countries and five international organisations, including the United Nations, as observers. For a formal publication, consult the Secretariat's latest observer register, as membership and observer arrangements can change.
3. How does CICA operate?
CICA is a diplomatic forum, not a military alliance. It does not provide the collective-defence guarantees associated with military alliances.
Its institutional structure includes:
| Institution | Principal role |
|---|---|
| Council of Heads of State or Government | Summit-level consultations and major decisions |
| Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs | Ministerial consultations and consideration of CICA activities |
| Committee of Senior Officials | Follows up on decisions and coordinates institutional work |
| Special Working Group | Examines specific issues and develops recommendations |
| CICA Secretariat | Supports the organisation's administration and implementation of agreed activities |
Decision-making principle: CICA decisions are made by consensus, reflecting the organisation's emphasis on consultation and cooperation among sovereign states. Its Secretariat is headquartered in Astana, Kazakhstan.
4. Azerbaijan's leadership and Sultan Hajiyev's appointment
Azerbaijan's role is particularly relevant to K254 Media Africa's coverage of Kenya–Azerbaijan relations.
At the Seventh CICA Summit in Baku on 15 October 2026, participating states:
- Approved the appointment of Azerbaijani Ambassador Sultan Hajiyev as Secretary-General for 2026–2030.
- Extended Azerbaijan's chairmanship for 2026–2028.
- Adopted the Baku Declaration.
- Welcomed Laos as the organisation's 29th member state.
- Approved a statement on cooperation in occupational health and safety.
These decisions are documented in the CICA Secretariat's official summit announcement.
Azerbaijan's chairmanship has emphasised three strategic priorities:
1. Connectivity — improving transport links and economic relationships between countries.
2. Digitalisation — promoting digital cooperation and the use of technology to support development.
3. Sustainable development — advancing cooperation on environmental protection and sustainable economic growth.
These priorities connect diplomatic dialogue with practical issues such as trade, transport corridors, energy security and regional development.
5. Why CICA matters to Kenya and Africa
Although Kenya is not a CICA member, the organisation's activities are relevant to African diplomatic and economic interests.
Potential areas of engagement
Diplomacy and peacebuilding: Kenya can draw lessons from regional confidence-building initiatives and pursue dialogue with Asian and Eurasian partners through appropriate bilateral and multilateral channels.
Trade and investment: CICA's economic priorities include trade, investment, energy, agriculture, tourism and SME development. These are relevant to Kenya's efforts to diversify its international economic partnerships.
Transport and connectivity: Cooperation involving the South Caucasus and Central Asia may create opportunities for businesses interested in logistics, trade facilitation and international supply chains.
Climate and sustainable development: CICA's environmental agenda provides opportunities for comparative research and dialogue on climate resilience, disaster management and sustainable development.
Media and public diplomacy: Journalists and research institutions can help explain diplomatic developments, assess the implementation of international commitments and improve public understanding of cross-regional cooperation.
These are potential areas for engagement, not evidence of existing Kenyan participation in CICA programmes.
For K254 Media Africa, this creates opportunities to cover the intersection of African diplomacy, Eurasian cooperation, international trade, peace and security, and sustainable development.
6. Official sources
For research, fact-checking and reporting, primary references:
- CICA — Official overview and objectives: CICA Secretariat: About the Organisation
- CICA — Official member-state list: CICA Member States
- CICA — Seventh Summit outcomes and Sultan Hajiyev's appointment: Official Seventh Summit Announcement
- CICA — History and founding documents: CICA History
- CICA — Economic cooperation priorities: CICA Economic Dimension
K254 Media Africa's editorial takeaway
CICA's mandate extends beyond traditional security discussions. It combines diplomacy, confidence-building, economic cooperation, environmental protection and responses to transnational threats.
The appointment of Ambassador Sultan Hajiyev as Secretary-General for 2026–2030 provides a timely opportunity for K254 Media Africa to examine how multilateral diplomacy can strengthen regional cooperation and inform Kenya's engagement with Azerbaijan, Central Asia and the wider Asian continent.
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