The key idea of the Conference is based on the priority of the indivisibility of security, joint initiative and mutually beneficial interaction of small and large states.

[4] The idea of convening the CICA was first proposed by Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev on 5 October 1992, at the 47th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The CICA Summit drew spotlight of the world's attention to Almaty, provided the background for laying the foundations for the first security organization in Asia.

Ten more nations, including the United States, were accorded observer status in the new forum, as also a number of international organizations, such as the UN, the OSCE and the Arab League.

In the final Almaty Act, the 16 leaders said that the CICA process presents "new opportunities for cooperation, peace and security in Asia" and "will guide us towards a better future, which our peoples deserve".

The second CICA summit was held in Almaty on June 17, 2006 with participation of the Heads of State/Government of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand and Uzbekistan and Special Envoys of the Heads of State/Government of Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Mongolia, Palestine, Turkey and Republic of Korea which was admitted as the eighteenth member of CICA.

The Declaration of the Second CICA Summit reflected the general view of the member states on key problems of security and cooperation in Asia and in other parts of the world.

It was also decided to mark October 5 as CICA Day to commemorate the initiation of the proposal for convening the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia by H.E.

The third CICA Summit was held in Istanbul, Turkey on 8 June 2010 with participation of the Heads of State/Government of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia and Turkey; Deputy Heads of State/Government of Iraq and Vietnam; and Special Envoys of China, Egypt, India, Israel, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Tajikistan, Thailand and United Arab Emirates.

The declaration reflected CICA's stand and views on important issues of security and cooperation in Asia and other parts of the world including terrorism, disarmament, illicit drugs, global financial crisis, environment as well as situation in Afghanistan and Middle East.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul mentioned in his concluding statement that during the summit, Israel was condemned by all members save itself for its Gaza flotilla raid.

On the eve of the Summit, Chinese leader Xi Jinping hosted a banquet and gala evening, with the theme “United and Harmonious Asian Countries move together towards future”, for the participants.

At the Summit, participating leaders expressed their views on topics such as security situation in Asia and measures to promote CICA dialogue, trust and coordination.

The declaration also reiterated commitment of the member states to carry forward the CICA process and reaffirmed the importance of implementing agreed confidence building measures in all dimensions.

Fifteen Heads of State and Government participated in the Summit besides other high level dignitaries including Vice-President, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ambassadors.

[15] The first meeting of CICA Ministers of Foreign Affairs was held in Almaty on September 14, 1999 with participation of fifteen member states: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

The Declaration of the Ministerial Meeting, titled CICA Progress in Implementation of CBMs, reaffirmed the importance of promoting CICA as a multilateral forum for close cooperation; continuous dialogue and interaction; comprehensive exchange of views; addressing new challenges and threats; facilitating prevention of conflicts; peaceful settlement of disputes; as well as for developing and implementing agreed Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) in the Asian continent.

The Ministers also adopted, in principle, Convention on the Legal Capacity of CICA Secretariat, its Personnel and their Privileges and Immunities and urged the Member states to finalize their respective internal procedures with a view to sign it at the earliest possible.

Ministerial Meeting was preceded by a commemorative session celebrating twentieth anniversary of CICA, which was addressed by President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan.

[16] Kazakshtan's Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov recognized Ambassador Gong Jianwei, Executive Director of CICA Secretariat, with a medal honoring the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan's diplomatic service corps.