Azerbaijan's full participation in Consultative Meeting important – JOINT STATEMENT

Azerbaijan's full participation in the Consultative Meeting is important, as noted in a Joint Statement adopted following the 8th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, held in the city of Turkmenbashi on October 8.

Report's correspondent in Turkmenistan said that, according to the document, the heads of state highly valued the preparations carried out in connection with the organization and holding of the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which will be held in Baku on October 15, 2026.

In the statement, the heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation among their countries within the framework of the United Nations, as well as other international organizations of which they are members, and emphasized the importance of comprehensive and consistent development of multilateral cooperation and implementation of initiatives aimed at sustainable development, the well-being of peoples and ensuring long-term stability in the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan.

The parties also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in regional and international security based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests of states, including in combating terrorism, extremism and radicalism, illegal migration, transnational organized crime, cybercrime, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and weapons, human trafficking, as well as in preventing and mitigating the consequences of large-scale and cross-border emergencies.

The heads of state, emphasizing the significant potential for expanding trade and economic ties, expressed their readiness to promote further trade development, deepen investment ties, expand direct business contacts between economic entities, support joint ventures, hold regular business forums and exhibitions, exchange experience in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and develop e-commerce at the regional level.

The heads of state also highlighted the priority importance of developing integrated regional transport infrastructure and, emphasizing the importance of the East-West and North-South international transport corridors as key factors for sustainable economic growth and the expansion of interregional ties, reaffirmed the importance of further developing transit and transport corridors passing through their territories.

The parties also noted the level of cooperation achieved among the participating countries in the energy sector and expressed interest in further strengthening this cooperation through an exchange of experience, including exploring prospects for new projects aimed at developing energy corridors connecting Central Asia and Azerbaijan.

In this regard, they highlighted the importance of leveraging the potential of the green energy generation and transmission project between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The project aims at creating an energy corridor for exporting green electricity from Central Asia to Europe via the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The parties welcomed the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union Regional Acceleration Center in Azerbaijan on November 21, 2025, and noted its importance in promoting the development of digital innovation, supporting startup ecosystems and advancing digital transformation in Azerbaijan and the wider region.

It was also emphasized that the main objectives of the Center are to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurial capacity, develop cooperation among ecosystem participants and accelerate digital transformation in the region.

The heads of state also noted the need to strengthen cooperation in the following areas and expressed their readiness to support activities carried out in these areas:

- developing interparliamentary cooperation to exchange experience in legislative activities and implement joint initiatives;

- protecting the environment, combating climate change and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, introducing environmentally friendly technologies, and preserving ecosystems and biodiversity;

- exchanging best practices in advanced technologies, innovation, the implementation of digital systems, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and scientific and technological progress;

- creating favorable conditions for industrial products to enter the markets of participating states;

- expanding cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical personnel training, digital solutions and telemedicine services;

- further deepening humanitarian cooperation, preserving and promoting the historical, cultural and spiritual heritage that unites our peoples, common traditions and values, as well as supporting initiatives in art and literature and holding special presentations at the UN on the rich spiritual and scientific heritage of outstanding thinkers and scholars of Central Asia and Azerbaijan;

- developing youth cooperation in sports, tourism and other social fields that contribute to strengthening friendship and mutual respect among the peoples of Central Asia and Azerbaijan;

- promoting cooperation in developing tourist zones, as well as promoting tourism products and raising awareness of the tourism potential of the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan.