Central Asian and Azerbaijani leaders adopted a joint agenda on trade, transport connectivity and broader regional cooperation at an Oct. 8 summit in Avaza, Turkmenistan.
The meeting brought together the presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for the eighth Consultative Meeting of Central Asian leaders and Azerbaijan. The leaders signed a joint statement and a separate decision concerning the consultative format’s regulatory documents. Azerbaijan took part as a full participant for the first time after joining the framework in 2025.
The statement called for expanded trade, stronger investment ties, more direct business contacts and cooperation on joint ventures and e-commerce. It also emphasized the development of regional transport infrastructure and the East-West and North-South corridors linking Central Asia, the Caspian region and wider international markets. Energy cooperation, regional security and sustainable development were also included in the leaders’ priorities.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev separately urged closer economic integration, improved transport links, water cooperation and partnerships in artificial intelligence. The summit expanded an established Central Asian dialogue into a broader six-country platform connecting Central Asia with the South Caucasus.