The second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Expert Council was held on June 4, 2025. Jointly organized by the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) and the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), the discussion was dedicated to “Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan: Development Prospects for Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Board of the AIR Center, Ambassador Farid Shafiyev, drew attention to the rapid development of relations based on deep historical ties and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. He highlighted that the two countries act from a common position on regional and international issues and underlined their effective joint activities on global platforms.

“Uzbekistan is one of the countries that expressed principled support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and was the first to congratulate our country on victory. Uzbekistan expressed its support not only in words, but also in practice. Thus, the modern school built in the liberated lands - in the city of Fuzuli with the financial support of Uzbekistan - is a practical contribution to this support”.

In his address, Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, emphasized that, in recent years, bilateral cooperation has reached a strategic level as a result of the political will demonstrated by the heads of state.

“Prospects are opening up for our countries not only for bilateral cooperation, but also for the intensification of regional relations in the “Central Asia - South Caucasus” format. Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have the potential to become a driving force in shaping the future development of this cooperation.”

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan, Ambassador Bakhrom Ashrafkhanov, drew attention to the dynamically developing relations in the political-diplomatic, economic and cultural spheres and their contractual and legal basis.

“The comprehensive development of relations with Azerbaijan is one of the main foreign policy priorities of Uzbekistan. The large-scale reforms being carried out in all spheres of life under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev are clearly evident."

Within the framework of the Expert Council, panel sessions were held on the following topics: “Expanding the Multifaceted Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan: Agro-Industrial Collaboration, Green Energy, and Digitalization”; “The Role of Uzbekistan–Azerbaijan Transport and Logistics Integration in the Sustainable Development of Central Asia and the South Caucasus”; and “The Development of Human Capital through the Deepening of Scientific and Educational Cooperation.”

In conclusion, the importance of formulating joint action plans for the next stages of the second meeting of the Expert Council was noted.