A Joint Statement was signed as a result of the 8th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 8, 2026, in the city of Turkmenbashi.
According to elchi, the parties emphasized the importance of the full participation of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Consultative Meeting.
Also, the heads of state highly appreciated the preparatory work for 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 document, the heads of state confirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, as well as other international organizations to which they are members, and emphasized the importance of comprehensively and consistently developing multilateral cooperation, as well as implementing initiatives aimed at sustainable development, the welfare of peoples, and ensuring the long-term stability of Central Asian states and Azerbaijan.
Furthermore, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in the field of regional and international security based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests of states, including in the fight against terrorism, extremism and radicalism, illegal migration, transnational organized crime, cybercrime, illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and weapons, human trafficking, as well as in preventing and eliminating the consequences of large-scale and transboundary emergencies.
Emphasizing the significant potential for expanding trade and economic relations, the heads of state expressed their readiness to further develop trade, deepen investment ties, expand direct business relations between economic entities, support joint ventures, hold regular business forums and exhibitions, exchange experience in supporting small and medium-sized entrepreneurship, and assist in developing e-commerce at the regional level.
In addition, the heads of state noted the priority importance of developing an integrated regional transport infrastructure and emphasized the significance of the “East-West” and “North-South” international transport corridors as key factors for sustainable economic growth and the expansion of interregional ties, confirming the importance of further developing transit transport corridors passing through their states.
The parties also noted the level of cooperation achieved in the energy sector by the participating countries and expressed their interest in further strengthening this cooperation based on experience exchange, including the study of prospects for new projects aimed at developing energy corridors connecting Central Asia and Azerbaijan. In this regard, they noted the importance of utilizing the potential of the project for the production and transmission of green energy between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The project aims to create an energy corridor for the export of green electricity from Central Asia to Europe through the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The parties welcomed the establishment of the Regional Acceleration Center of the International Telecommunication Union in Azerbaijan on November 21, 2025, and noted its significant importance in contributing to the development of digital innovations, supporting startup ecosystems, and promoting digital transformation in Azerbaijan and the wider region. They also emphasized that the main goal of the Center is to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurial potential, develop interaction among ecosystem participants, and accelerate digital transformation in the region.
The heads of state also noted the necessity of strengthening cooperation in the following areas and expressed their readiness to support activities carried out in these directions:
– Developing inter-parliamentary cooperation to exchange experience in legislative activities and implement joint initiatives,
– Environmental protection, combating climate change and promoting sustainable use of natural resources, application of environmentally friendly technologies, and conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity,
– Exchange of best practices in the fields of advanced technologies, innovations, application of digital systems, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and scientific and technical progress,
– Creating favorable conditions for bringing industrial products to the markets of participating states,
– Expanding cooperation in the fields of pharmaceuticals, training of medical personnel, application of 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 the field of arts and literature, holding special presentations of the rich spiritual and scientific heritage of great thinkers and scientists of Central Asia and Azerbaijan at the UN,
– Developing cooperation among youth in sports, tourism, and other social spheres that serve to strengthen friendship and mutual respect between the peoples of Central Asia and Azerbaijan,
– Strengthening cooperation in the development of tourism zones, as well as promoting tourism products and increasing the recognition of the tourism potential of Central Asian states and Azerbaijan.