Turkmenistan and CICA Convene in Ashgabat to Advance Central Asian Security, Energy, and Food Stability Initiatives

Turkmenistan and CICA meet in Ashgabat to discuss a permanent regional security forum, energy cooperation, and the stabilization of Afghanistan.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 9:51 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Trend News Agency

Strengthening Regional Multilateralism

On March 17, 2026, Ashgabat served as the host for a significant diplomatic meeting between Turkmenistan and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). Ahmet Gurbanov, Turkmenistan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay to review the current landscape of regional cooperation. The discussions underscored Turkmenistan's increasingly active role within the forum since joining as an observer in 2021, emphasizing the country's commitment to multilateral dialogue as a means of ensuring long-term stability in Central Asia and the broader Asian continent.

Proposals for a Permanent Security Forum

A primary focus of the meeting was Turkmenistan’s strategic initiative to establish a permanent forum dedicated to security, development, and regional cooperation. This proposed body would serve as a structured platform for Central Asian states to coordinate responses to emerging geopolitical threats and economic challenges. By institutionalizing these discussions, Turkmenistan and CICA aim to foster a more predictable and transparent environment for regional diplomacy, particularly concerning border security and the prevention of cross-border conflicts.

Strategic Cooperation in Energy and Transport

Beyond political security, the parties delved into functional collaboration within the energy and transport sectors. Given Turkmenistan's position as a global energy exporter and a critical transit hub, the talks highlighted the necessity of integrating national infrastructure projects with CICA’s regional initiatives. The discussion also touched upon the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy within the CICA framework, recognizing that secure energy and transport corridors are essential for the region's economic resilience and the successful prevention of extremist disruption.