On April 23, 2025, the fourth meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Expert Council was held.

The Council's annual meetings are held within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2022 between the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) and the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. These gatherings serve as a platform for bringing together experts from both countries, fostering academic dialogue and the exchange of scholarly perspectives.

In his opening address, Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the AIR Center, emphasized the significance of regular expert-level meetings and the collaborative development of academic resources. He noted the potential for future Council meetings to be co-hosted with the participation of higher education institutions from both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Alim Bayel, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Azerbaijan, underlined that bilateral relations have entered a qualitatively new phase, stressing the importance of reciprocal high-level visits between the two heads of state.

Referring to the trilateral Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the governments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan on the development and transmission of "green energy" within the framework of COP29, Ambassador Bayel stated that such projects would make substantial contributions not only at the regional but also at the global level.

He further highlighted that the first educational exhibition of Kazakhstani universities in Baku, held in March of this year, featured representatives from 23 Kazakhstani universities and attracted more than 1,000 students. The ambassador noted the academic significance of this initiative for deepening educational ties.

Ambassador Bayel also emphasized the consistent mutual support demonstrated by Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan within international organizations, noting that Turkic integration remains a strategic priority for both nations.

Yerkin Tukumov, Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, pointed to the intensification of bilateral relations in recent years, affirming that Azerbaijan is Kazakhstan’s key partner in the South Caucasus. He underscored that this partnership is rooted in a shared strategic vision and mutual support.

“This year, we mark a historic milestone — the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Our heads of state meet almost annually,” Tukumov stated.

He also emphasized Kazakhstan’s ongoing efforts in economic restructuring and diversification.

“There has been a significant increase in transport and transit activity. In the past year, freight transported via the Trans-Caspian route grew by 62%, or 4.5 million tons. Oil transported through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline reached 1.4 million tons, and we anticipate this figure will rise to 2.2 million tons annually in the medium term,” Tukumov added.

Rovshan Kazimov, Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Kazakhstan, expressed satisfaction with the growing dynamics of bilateral relations, highlighting the construction of the Kurmangazy Children's Creativity Center in the city of Fuzuli by the Republic of Kazakhstan as a vivid example of the brotherly ties between the two nations. R. Kazimov also noted the convergence of positions between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan on international platforms, particularly emphasizing Kazakhstan’s support for Azerbaijan’s initiatives within the framework of COP29, including the “COP Truce” proposal and other climate-related efforts.

Following this, Roza Bayramli, Leading Advisor at the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), presented a policy review titled “Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan: Topical Issues and Prospects for Bilateral Cooperation” (https://aircenter.az/uploads/DnMA14IGFxzC.pdf ). R. Bayramli stated that the publication features contributions from members of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Expert Group and addresses key issues on the political, economic, humanitarian, and energy agendas of Baku-Astana relations.

Subsequent discussions featured remarks from prominent officials and experts, including Member of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Inter-Parliamentary Relations Working Group Nizami Safarov, Director of the Institute for Applied Ethnopolitical Research Talgat Kaliyev, Deputy Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center Ramin Gambarov, Head of the Sea Ports Administration at the Railway and Water Transport Committee of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhasulan Kerimbayev, Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Economic Research Shahin Sadigov, Chief Expert of the International Turkic Academy Timur Kozyrev, Director of the South Caucasus Research Center Farhad Mammadov, Chief Expert at the Department of Global Economy and Sustainable Development of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies Baurzhan Umirzakov, Head of the “South Caucasus” Political Analysts’ Club Ilgar Velizade.

It should be noted that the 1st meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Expert Council was held on August 19, 2022, the 2nd meeting took place on April 7, 2023, and the 3rd meeting was convened on March 13, 2024.