Baku Hosts 9th CICA Youth Council Meeting on Sustainable Urban Development
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Azerbaijan hosted the 9th Meeting of the Youth Council of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Baku as part of the country’s 2024–2026 CICA Chairmanship, bringing together youth representatives from across Asia to strengthen regional cooperation and promote sustainable urban development.
The meeting commenced with the playing of the national anthem, followed by opening remarks from Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Farid Gayibov, and CICA Secretary General Kairat Sarybay.
In their addresses, the officials emphasized that enhancing cooperation, sharing experiences, and supporting joint youth initiatives within the CICA framework would contribute to building more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable urban communities across the region. A video presentation highlighting the objectives of the meeting was also screened during the opening session.
The event, held under the theme “Youth Engagement in Advancing Sustainable Urban Development,” brought together 120 delegates from 17 CICA member states, reflecting the growing commitment of member countries to empowering young people in addressing regional and global challenges.
Following the adoption of the meeting agenda, the session continued under the chairmanship of Indira Hajiyeva, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan. Heads of national delegations delivered statements outlining their countries’ perspectives on youth engagement and sustainable development.
Delegates also reviewed and discussed the Recommendations Document of the 9th Meeting of the CICA Youth Council, aimed at strengthening cooperation among member states and enhancing the role of youth in sustainable urban planning and development.
In the second half of the programme, participants attended a specialized training session in preparation for the upcoming CICA Youth Speech and Debate Competition. The workshop focused on debate techniques, including the internationally recognized Karl Popper debate format, while providing participants with detailed guidance on the competition’s themes and debate topics.
The meeting forms part of Azerbaijan’s broader efforts during its CICA chairmanship to promote youth participation, regional dialogue, and collaborative initiatives that contribute to sustainable development and stronger confidence-building measures across Asia.
