The seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), held in Baku, concluded on Oct.15 with the adoption of the Baku Declaration. The summit saw Laos officially admitted as the 29th member of CICA, expanding the forum’s reach and influence. Azerbaijan’s chairmanship was extended through 2028, affirming its continued leadership role in the organization. A new Secretary General was also appointed to steer CICA’s future activities. These developments signify a crucial step in the forum’s transformation into a full international organization, as evidenced by progress towards finalizing the CICA Charter. The focus remains on translating confidence-building measures into tangible gains in secure connectivity across the region, as highlighted by The Astana Times. The summit underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to regional stability and international cooperation through platforms like CICA.