The international conference titled “C6: A United Region, a Shared Future - Strengthening Strategic Dialogue” was organized by the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center). The event brought together approximately 60 participants, including representatives of leading think tanks from the C6 member states.

In his opening remarks, Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Board of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), stated that Azerbaijan’s accession as a full member to the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia in November 2025 represents a significant milestone in regional cooperation. According to him, this step will contribute to the formation of a more integrated geoeconomic and geopolitical space across the Caspian Sea basin, further strengthening Azerbaijan’s ties with the Central Asian countries.

“Central Asia is a natural partner rather than just a neighbor. Despite our shared history and culture, geoeconomics-energy, transportation, logistics, and infrastructure-is what makes our partnership unique today. Azerbaijan's President Mr. Ilham Aliyev's attendance as an Honorary Guest at the consultative summits of Central Asian leaders in September 2023 in Dushanbe and August 2024 in Kazakhstan showed the region's growing recognition of the South Caucasus and Central Asia as a single strategic region. But today, the conversation must evolve. Although Azerbaijan already engages with Central Asia, the question is whether we can create a more cohesive, institutionalized, and forward-looking framework that transforms collaboration into long-term capability. The C6 format must serve this function,” he stressed.

Shiri Shiriyev, Director of the Center for Strategic Studies at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, characterized Azerbaijan’s accession to the Consultative Meetings of the Central Asian Leaders as a new stage in the history of regional cooperation. He emphasized that the C6 is not merely a platform for dialogue, but also a dynamic mechanism that enables the identification of joint solutions amid global instability, the development of sustainable economic ties grounded in mutual benefit, and the strengthening of trust through humanitarian cooperation and the exchange of experience.

“The relevance of today’s conference is underpinned by several significant factors. First, the evolving dynamics of regional processes, such as the development of Trans-Caspian corridors, energy cooperation, and environmental challenges, require coordinated and systematic engagement. Second, amid the growing complexity of the global agenda and the persistence of geopolitical instability, the C6 has the potential to evolve into a model of strategic autonomy grounded in the principles of mutual respect and constructive partnership. Finally, the need for institutionalization is of particular importance. Issues related to the establishment of formal institutions, expert networks, and effective coordination mechanisms extend beyond theoretical debate. Their resolution represents a set of practical imperatives that will directly shape the region’s future trajectory,” he added.

The international conference then proceeded with thematic sessions focusing on key regional and global issues.

The first session, titled “From Dialogue to Sustainable Mechanisms: The Future of C6 Cooperation," was moderated by Azamat Sulimanov, Head of Department, Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The session focused on the necessity of formal institutions and the effectiveness of flexible formats of cooperation. Within the framework of the session, existing mechanisms, such as consultative platforms, expert networks, and economic initiatives, were assessed. Particular attention was devoted to the role of think tanks in institutionalizing regional dialogue, the coordination of C6 countries’ positions on international platforms, and the transformation of humanitarian cooperation into sustainable and structured mechanisms.

The second session, titled “Connectivity and Development: The Economic Dimension of C6 Cooperation and Sustainable Development," was moderated by AIR Center’s senior advisor Yunis Gurbanov. The session addressed topics such as energy cooperation, investment opportunities, and existing obstacles among the C6 countries, as well as environmental challenges and the strengthening of mutual trust. In addition, one of the central areas of discussion focused on ways to transform economic cooperation into sustainable and institutionalized mechanisms.

The next session, “Regional Security in C6 Amid Global Instability," moderated by AIR Center’s senior advisor Roza Bayramli, analyzed the existing common and divergent threats in the field of security. The discussions focused on promoting military-political cooperation without creating divisions, maintaining a balanced approach in relations with external actors, and safeguarding the region’s strategic autonomy. Participants also explored practical measures and effective mechanisms to strengthen the resilience of the C6 region in the face of global instability.

In the inter-session Q&A segment, participants exchanged their perspectives on the topics discussed and took part in interactive discussions.