The Eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan was held in the city of Avaza, Turkmenistan, on October 8, 2026. Azerbaijan’s participation in the meeting took place following the decision made at the summit held in Tashkent in November 2025 to include the country as a full participant in the process. Thus, the Avaza Meeting became the first full-scale summit of the expanded format of six, widely referred to as C6. The gathering of the heads of state marked a new and important stage in the development of regional cooperation across Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The main objectives of the summit were to strengthen economic relations, improve transport connections, and increase the capacity to respond to changing geopolitical conditions.
As a result of the summit, a joint declaration was published, and a decision was adopted regarding the legislative documents regulating the consultation format. However, the most important outcome of the meeting was the growing awareness that geographical proximity and the expansion of international transit routes could not provide an equal degree of economic integration among the participating countries. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, revealed this gap by proposing to increase the trade volume among the six countries, which was approximately 13 billion dollars in 2025, to at least 20 billion dollars. Tokayev noted that intra-regional trade constitutes only about 8% of the total trade volume of the countries.[i] These data reflect the fundamental problem faced by the emerging C6 framework. While Central Asia and Azerbaijan are gaining increasing importance in Eurasian transport and trade networks, connections between their own markets remain insufficient.
The creation of the C6 format reflects the gradual transformation of regional relations in Central Asia. In previous decades, cooperation among Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan was frequently limited by border disputes, competing national priorities, and differing approaches to regional economic integration. The revival of consultative diplomacy among the five countries has contributed to the formation of a more constructive political environment and created cooperation opportunities on issues requiring coordinated solutions.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan prioritize regional dialogue to address common economic and political issues. Azerbaijan’s inclusion in the C6 format marks a new stage in regional cooperation in terms of formally establishing a broader platform that more directly connects Central Asia to the South Caucasus. Central Asia has significant energy resources, agricultural production capacity, mineral deposits, and growing industrial markets. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, offers transport links connecting the region east of the Caspian to the South Caucasus, Turkey, and Europe. Ensuring stronger coordination among these economies will strengthen supply chains and expand access to international markets.
Transport infrastructure and logistics remain the most prominent strategic dimensions of the C6 agenda. The expansion of trade between Asia and Europe has increased the strategic importance of alternative routes connecting Central Asian economies to international markets. In this context, the Caspian Sea is becoming an important connection point between Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan’s participation in the consultation framework could facilitate the coordination of the interests of countries located along the developing trans-Caspian transport network. The Middle Corridor is a significant example of this potential. According to the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev; the volume of transit cargo transported along the Middle Corridor increased by more than 10% in 2025, and by approximately 20% in the first eight months of 2026. Aliyev also drew attention to the increase in energy shipments carried out from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan through Azerbaijani territory.[ii]
It would not be correct to evaluate the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor solely based on infrastructure capacity or the volume of cargo transported. The long-term effectiveness of the corridor will depend on the harmonization of customs procedures, predictable transit tariffs, the efficiency of port operations, digital freight management, and coordination between railway and maritime transport operators. The proposals presented by Mirziyoyev in Avaza reflected this more comprehensive approach to connectivity. Mirziyoyev called for accelerating the work on establishing the Infrastructure Development Council and emphasized that new transport routes should be accompanied by industrial zones, production facilities, and logistics centers.[iii] Mirziyoyev’s approach considers transport infrastructure not merely as an economic goal on its own, but as the foundation of broader regional development. The effective implementation of this approach could enable the C6 countries to gain a larger share of the added value created by international trade, rather than functioning merely as transit zones.
Tokayev also proposed examining the possible integration of the Middle Corridor with the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).[iv] This route, which is envisioned to pass through Armenia, is intended to connect the mainland of Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan exclave and become part of a more comprehensive trans-Caspian trade network. Linking TRIPP with the Middle Corridor could provide additional options for regional freight transport and facilitate the C6 countries’ access to markets further west. Furthermore, it could create opportunities for Armenia to participate more directly in regional commercial activities.
Another important outcome of the summit was the emphasis on strengthening cooperation in the industrial sector and joint investments. While the expansion of exports and transit flows remains important, increasing regional prosperity requires strengthening production linkages among participating economies. Aliyev proposed more effective use of the existing joint investment funds established by Azerbaijan with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. He emphasized that cooperation should go beyond increasing mutual trade and move towards joint production, investments, and access to international markets. Similarly, Mirziyoyev brought up the “Six economies – one product”[v] approach, which envisions enterprises in different participating countries contributing to joint production chains.
The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, proposed the creation of a joint electronic commerce platform accessible to businesses and consumers for products from across the region. Japarov noted that complementary improvements in delivery, warehousing, customs clearance, and cargo tracking would be necessary to implement such a platform.[vi] These proposals indicate a possible transition from the current model, which relies mainly on intergovernmental cooperation, to a more commercially integrated regional economy. The countries could develop complementary production chains in agriculture, food processing, textiles, chemicals, construction materials, and certain technology-intensive sectors.
At the summit, water management, which remains one of the most important issues requiring more sustainable regional coordination, was also discussed. Tokayev proposed a regional framework agreement on water use based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, and consideration of the interests of all participating countries. Mirziyoyev, on the other hand, emphasized digital monitoring systems, the modernization of irrigation infrastructure, and water-saving technologies. Bringing these issues to the agenda reflects an important awareness. This is because strengthening transport connections and expanding trade cannot compensate for the effects of worsening environmental conditions or unresolved competition over critical resources. Regional economic development requires the development of mechanisms that will allow addressing common vulnerabilities as well as commercial opportunities.
The Avaza Summit also carries a broader geopolitical significance due to the positioning of the six participating countries among various major economic and political power centers, including China, Russia, Turkey, the European Union, and South Asia. The expansion of the Middle Corridor is particularly important in this regard; as this route provides a connection between China and Europe, bypassing Russian territory. The possible integration of TRIPP could further expand transport options via the South Caucasus. However, the practical and political consequences of implementation will depend on how the route is realized. On the other hand, the continued importance of North-South transport links shows that C6 countries do not consider diversification as choosing one of the competing geopolitical orientations. The countries’ economic interests require access to multiple markets, and their foreign policies rely on diverse relationships with external powers. Therefore, the C6 framework could strengthen strategic autonomy by multiplying options rather than aligning together against a specific country.
Holding the summit in Avaza reveals the importance of the role Turkmenistan could play in the developing regional framework. Turkmenistan is a Caspian littoral country with significant energy resources and is strategically located between Central Asia, Iran, and the broader Caspian region. Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of transport yielding more concrete results and reiterated their readiness to provide access to their infrastructure in the Caspian on the basis of mutual benefit. This approach encompasses the East-West route connecting Central Asia to the South Caucasus and Europe, as well as the North-South connections linking the region to Russia and Iran.[vii] For Turkmenistan, these priorities offer an opportunity to strengthen the country’s economic position without abandoning its traditional policy of permanent neutrality. Diversifying transport and trade opportunities aligns with the approach of maintaining relationships with multiple external partners rather than becoming dependent on a single market or route. Turkmenistan’s contribution to C6 cooperation will depend on its capacity to transform its geographical location into commercially functional infrastructure and stronger economic relations with neighboring countries.
C6 maintains its characteristic as a consultative framework where sovereign states coordinate on specific priorities. The participating countries’ external partnerships and economic priorities differ from one another. Cooperation is not based on a supranational authority or binding collective commitments, but primarily on consultation, mutual interests, and practical coordination. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that countries should avoid complex institutional structures and instead develop a flexible format based on mutual respect, pragmatism, and concrete results. This institutional flexibility makes it possible for governments to cooperate without the need for extensive bureaucratic arrangements. However, at the same time, it heavily depends on sustainable political will and coordination among national institutions.
In conclusion, the Avaza Summit marks a new orientation in regional cooperation, where the C6 countries strive to align their national development priorities with a broader framework of economic coordination. The C6 format brings together complementary advantages in the fields of energy, manufacturing, logistics, and technological development. However, the effectiveness of the format will depend on the extent to which this potential can be mobilized through coordinated policies. The future of C6 will depend on the capacity to transform political consensus into lasting regional cooperation mechanisms that provide concrete economic and strategic benefits. The success of the format will also depend on the participating countries’ ability to create greater collective impact on economic flows in Eurasia while preserving their individual strategic flexibility and foreign policy autonomy.
[i] “President Takes Part in the 8th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan”, Akorda, https://akorda.kz/en/president-takes-part-in-the-8th-consultative-meeting-of-the-heads-of-state-of-central-asia-and-azerbaijan-895445#, (Date of Access: 11.10.2026).
[ii] “Turkmenbashi hosted 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of Azerbaijan and Central Asia”, Official website of the President of Azerbaijan Republic, https://president.az/en/articles/view/73715/print, #, (Date of Access: 11.10.2026).
[iii] “Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan”, Official website of the President of Uzbekistan, https://president.uz/en/lists/view/9696, (Date of Access: 11.10.2026).
[iv] “President Takes Part in the 8th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan”, a.g.e., (Date of Access: 11.10.2026).
[v] “Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan”, a.g.e., (Date of Access: 11.10.2026).
[vi] “Sadyr Zhaparov addresses at 8th Consultative Meeting in Turkmenistan”, Kabar, https://en.kabar.kg/news/sadyr-zhaparov-addresses-at-8th-consultative-meeting/, (Date of Access: 11.10.2026).
[vii] “Turkmenistan has proposed intensifying the practical development of transport corridors through the Caspian region”, Golden Age, https://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/en/post/110807/turkmenistan-has-proposed-intensifying-practical-development-transport-corridors-through-caspian-region, (Date of Access: 11.10.2026).
