The expanding role of Azerbaijan in regional cooperation was underscored by two significant diplomatic gatherings that occurred within a week of each other in October 2026. The eighth Consultative Meeting of the leaders of Central Asia and Azerbaijan was held in Avaza, Turkmenistan, on October 8. Baku hosted the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) one week later, on October 15.
Although the two formats differ in membership and objectives, both reflect Azerbaijan's growing role in regional cooperation. Baku is strengthening its institutional ties with Central Asia while taking a more active role in cooperation across Asia. This process also has implications for the South Caucasus, particularly its increasing significance in connecting Asian and European markets.
The Avaza meeting was the first formal summit since Azerbaijan became a full-fledged participant in the Central Asian Consultative Meeting format in November 2025. The six leaders signed a Joint Statement and a Decision on the Regulatory Documents of the Consultative Meeting. Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the format in 2027 will provide an opportunity to advance the initiatives discussed in Avaza.
The discussions were indicative of a growing emphasis on economic cooperation and collaborative projects. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated during his address to the summit that "Azerbaijan's trade with Central Asian countries increased by more than 50 percent" in 2025. Additionally, "over 400 companies with capital from Central Asian countries are actively operating" in Azerbaijan, and joint investment funds have been established with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Aliyev underscored the necessity of transitioning from trade to joint investment, production, and access to international markets. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, also adopted this strategy in his proposals. "We have already reached a point where standard mutual trade is no longer sufficient; we need to create finished products together," stated Mirziyoyev.
Mirziyoyev suggested that a Central Asia–Azerbaijan Business Forum be held in Khiva in 2027, with the formula "six economies – one product" as the guiding principle. In addition, he advocated for the accelerated establishment of the Council for Infrastructure Development and the establishment of a financial and technical support platform for joint investment projects. The first meeting of the Council was proposed for Uzbekistan.
These initiatives could give the C6 format a stronger practical economic dimension. Nevertheless, the majority of the proposals necessitate additional coordination and funding. Azerbaijan's 2027 chairmanship will face the challenge of transforming these ideas into tangible projects.
While C6 emphasises the development of closer collaboration among six nations, CICA provides a significantly more extensive platform. Its members include China, India, Türkiye, Israel and Russia, countries with different political and security interests.
In December 2024, Azerbaijan assumed the CICA chairmanship under the theme "Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalisation and Sustainable Growth in Asia." Baku advocated for institutional reforms and practical collaboration in finance, education, transportation, and other sectors during its chairmanship.
The Seventh CICA Summit resulted in numerous institutional outcomes. The Baku Declaration was adopted, Laos became the 29th member state, Azerbaijan's chairmanship was extended until 2028, and Azerbaijani diplomat Sultan Hajiyev was appointed Secretary General for the period of 2026–2030.
Progress toward institutional transformation persists, despite the fact that the CICA Charter, which is anticipated to serve as the legal framework for the Conference's transformation into a fully-fledged international organisation, was not adopted at the summit. Reaching consensus among countries with a variety of interests remains a complex process; however, the dedication to enhancing CICA serves as a solid foundation for future advancements.
Simultaneously, CICA continues to exhibit its value as an inclusive platform for dialogue and cooperation among countries with varying political positions and priorities. Its value lies less in directly resolving geopolitical disputes than in identifying shared interests and maintaining dialogue.
Transport, energy, and digital connectivity are among the most obvious areas in which C6 and CICA can complement one another. This potential is exemplified by the Middle Corridor, which spans Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and the South Caucasus, linking China and Europe.
According to a September 2026 report from the World Bank, strategic investment and improved integration could increase trade volumes along the Trans-Caspian route by over threefold and reduce travel times by half by 2040. Nevertheless, these advantages are contingent upon significant regulatory reforms and infrastructure enhancements.
For the European Union, a more coordinated Trans-Caspian transport network would support efforts to diversify trade routes and strengthen economic ties with Central Asia. This also increases the importance of the South Caucasus, particularly Azerbaijan and Georgia, in connecting Asian and European markets.
At Avaza, Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of developing transport corridors as integrated economic networks rather than separate infrastructure projects. As he stated, “Production facilities, logistics and service facilities, and industrial zones should be developed along the new transport corridors.”
The C6 format has the potential to facilitate the coordination of these priorities among the six participating countries. CICA, on the other hand, has the potential to expand the discussion to a broader Asian audience and encourage engagement with other significant economies.
Azerbaijan has already promoted this agenda through CICA by organising a conference on transport corridor digitalisation in December 2025 and hosting the Conference of Port Authorities in Baku in September 2026.
Digital and energy infrastructure provide another link between the two formats. Presidents Aliyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially inaugurated the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line on October 15, which was developed under the Digital Silk Way initiative. The project aims to improve the digital connectivity between Asia and Europe.
Speaking at the CICA Summit, Tokayev also highlighted the Caspian Green Energy Corridor, being developed by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to connect electricity networks and potentially supply European markets via the Black Sea.
While these initiatives are not conducted within the context of CICA, they serve as an illustration of how a more limited number of nations can collaborate in a practical manner to advance a more extensive regional connectivity agenda.
The Baku and Avaza summits were significant milestones in Azerbaijan's expanding role in Eurasian cooperation. Baku's growing influence in shaping regional cooperation is evidenced by the extension of its CICA chairmanship until 2028, the upcoming C6 chairmanship in 2027, and the institutional developments that were achieved at both summits.
CICA offers a more comprehensive platform for engaging major Asian economies, while C6 provides opportunities to enhance economic, transport, and energy cooperation with Central Asia. Collectively, these formats fortify Azerbaijan's status as a diplomatic and connectivity hub that connects Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and broader international trading markets.
For Europe, these developments could create new opportunities for trade diversification and cooperation along the Middle Corridor. In the final analysis, the importance of the two summits will be contingent upon the translation of political commitments into practical projects, thereby bolstering Azerbaijan's emerging position as a critical link in the evolving economic and diplomatic architecture of Eurasia.
https://theliberum.com/from-avaza-to-baku-azerbaijans-expanding-role-in-eurasian-cooperation/
