Vietnam and Iraq become CICA full members and Bangladesh gains status of observer

"The CICA acquires features which allow to transform it into an organization for cooperation and security in Asia. I welcome accession of Vietnam and Iraq to the CICA, and gaining the status of observer by Bangladesh. Our Forum unites 22 states which cover over 90 percent of the territory of Asia", President Nursultan Nazarbayev said opening the Summit.

In this connection, taking into account expansion of the CICA members and growing international authority, the President proposed raising the status of the head of the CICA Secretariat from Executive Director to Secretary General.