The Member States of the CICA include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. CICA membership cover about 90 percent of the territory and population of Asia. It has another 8 states and 5 international organizations, including the UN, with observer status.

CICA membership would further enhance Sri Lanka’s bilateral, economic and trade cooperation as well as people to people contacts with other CICA Member States. CICA is different from other security mechanisms which are commonly dominated by super powers. It has the characteristics of an “Asian initiative,” which values equality among members, and is led by small countries.

President Sirisena is scheduled to address CICA Summit on June 15. The President will have bilateral meetings with several leaders including Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the CICA Summit in Dushnabe.