In contemporary international relations, regional cooperation and integration processes have increasingly gained importance. In this context, the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) have aimed to enhance their economic and political influence through joint projects. The strategic cooperation between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan plays a crucial role not only in economic development but also in ensuring regional stability and diversifying global trade routes. The Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Business Forum, held in Ankara on January 29, 2025, served as a significant platform where the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor was emphasized, and concrete projects on digitalization, energy security, and logistics infrastructure were discussed. The topics addressed at the forum provided new opportunities not only for the participating countries but also for the entire Eurasian region in line with the objectives of sustainable development and stronger regional connectivity.
On January 29, 2025, the Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Business Forum was held in the Turkish capital, Ankara, with a large number of participants. Supported by the Ministry of Trade of Türkiye, the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, and the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, the forum was organized by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), and the Uzbekistan Investment Promotion Agency. The event, attended by 200 entrepreneurs from the trade, investment, and logistics sectors, focused on strategic cooperation opportunities between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, as well as projects aimed at regional development. In this context, topics such as the “Europe-Caucasus-Asia Transport Corridor (TRACECA),” “Combating Sovereignty Threats,” “Supporting Connectivity Projects,” “Enhancing the Capacity of the Middle Corridor,” “Investments in Karabakh and East Zangezur,” “Agreements within the Framework of OTS,” “Development of Economic, Trade, and Investment Relations,” “Cooperation in Industry, Agriculture, Innovation, and Digitalization,” “Trans-Afghan Railway Project,” and “Addressing the Israel-Palestine Conflict Based on a Two-State Solution” were discussed.[1]
Furthermore, the importance of economic integration within the framework of OTS was emphasized at the forum, and the impacts of initiatives such as the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, the Karabakh Declaration, and the Turkic Investment Fund on regional development were discussed. Türkiye’s 20 billion U.S. dollars investment from Azerbaijan and the incentives provided to the Turkish business sector for the reconstruction of the liberated areas of Karabakh were among the notable topics. Additionally, the planned 500 million U.S. dollars investment projects between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan and the strategic significance of the Middle Corridor for transit trade were among the focal points of the forum.[2]
In his opening speech at the forum, the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, highlighted the role of OTS in strengthening economic and trade ties. He emphasized the contributions of the Kars-Nakhchivan Railway and the Zangezur Corridor projects to regional trade and logistics flows, stating that these projects would not only boost trade between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan but also strengthen the connection between Asia and Europe through the Middle Corridor. At the same time, he underscored the significance of increasing energy supply through the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) in ensuring energy security and accelerating energy transition processes in the region.[3]
The Middle Corridor is positioned as a strategic transit route for the member states of OTS and has the potential to limit Moscow’s dominance over traditional north-south trade routes. This development has not only weakened Russia’s economic influence over Central Asia but has also constrained its capacity to use infrastructure dependencies as a geopolitical pressure tool. In this context, the Trans-Afghan Railway Project plays a crucial role in supporting Afghanistan’s economic and social stability while enhancing regional connectivity. This project aims to establish faster and more secure trade routes between Asia and Europe.
Additionally, the e-TIR system, supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, is a significant initiative aimed at accelerating the digitalization of trade processes among OTS countries and facilitating border-crossing procedures. This system has successfully reduced border crossing times by 80%, trade costs by 38%, and has also contributed to reducing carbon emissions.[4] Launched in 2021, e-TIR has modernized trade among OTS member states and expanded regional trade networks.
Within the framework of Uzbekistan’s digitalization strategies, numerous innovative projects are being implemented under the 2030 AI Strategy. The AI Conference, scheduled to be held in Samarkand on August 7-8, 2025, will serve as an important platform to showcase Uzbekistan’s digital transformation goals. Led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, this strategy includes the production of AI-based software worth 1.5 billion U.S. dollars, the establishment of big data infrastructure, and the creation of scientific laboratories. The palm payment system, along with the MyID and UzFace digital identity applications implemented in Uzbekistan, serve as concrete examples of digitalization efforts aimed at increasing efficiency in public services.
On January 31, 2025, the Digital Almaty 2025 Forum was held in Almaty, bringing together the countries of the EAEU and international technology firms. The forum addressed topics such as AI-supported industrial production, digital sovereignty, and Industry 4.0. Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov provided information about 1,600 technology companies operating at Astana Hub and the planned AI center alem.ai to be opened in Almaty. The forum continued with industrial and technology exhibitions, Industry 4.0 AI Wars competitions, and IT panels, hosting over 40,000 participants.[5]
In conclusion, the Ankara Forum has served as a strategic platform for discussing concrete cooperation opportunities in the fields of economy, logistics, energy, and digitalization among the member states of OTS. Projects such as the Middle Corridor, the Trans-Afghan Railway, and digital economy initiatives have enabled participating countries not only to deepen regional integration but also to strengthen their roles in global trade routes. In this context, energy projects such as TANAP and the Trans-Caspian Natural Gas Pipeline have increased the significance of OTS in terms of energy supply security while also laying the groundwork for the establishment of new trade routes extending to Europe through Central Asia and the Caucasus. Particularly within the scope of digitalization strategies, the e-TIR system and the 2030 AI Strategy have accelerated the modernization of regional trade, facilitated border crossing processes, and reduced trade costs.
The digital transformation and technology-driven goals of OTS have encouraged cooperation in digital economy and AI among member states. Initiatives such as Uzbekistan’s AI Conference in Samarkand and the development of technology hubs like Astana Hub in Kazakhstan and alem.ai in Almaty have highlighted the region’s potential to become a center for technology and innovation. These developments have not only strengthened economic ties but have also introduced new cooperation opportunities among OTS member states in areas such as big data, cybersecurity, and digital identity applications. Furthermore, initiatives like the Trans-Afghan Railway Project aim to integrate Afghanistan into the regional trade system, strengthening connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia.
If these projects are successfully implemented, OTS member states will be able to take on a more active role in both bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms. Balancing the influence of Moscow and Beijing in the region will enhance the strategic dimension of these cooperation processes, allowing OTS to make more independent decisions. Ultimately, the projects discussed at the Ankara Forum will enhance the influence of the Turkic World in the global trade system and pave the way for broader cooperation opportunities in energy, digitalization, and logistics.
[1] “Uzbekistan, Azerbaydzhan i Turtsiya Podpisali Deklaratsiyu o Transportnoy Svyazannosti i Protivodeystvii Ugrozam Suverenitetu”, Gazeta.Uz, https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2025/01/31/ankara-meeting, (Access Date: 10.02.2025).
[2] “Ankara Hosts Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Business Forum”, Azertag, https://azertag.az/en/xeber/ankara_hosts_turkiye_azerbaijan_uzbekistan_business_forum-339501, (Access Date: 10.02.2025).
[3] Akbar Novruz, “Turkic States Organization Vital for Economic Cooperation, Says TOBB Chairman”, Azernews, https://www.azernews.az/nation/237090.html, (Access Date: 10.02.2025).
[4] “Turkic States Sign eTIR İmplementation Road Map to Enhance Border Crossings, Trade and Transport Efficiency”, UNECE, https://unece.org/digitalization/news/turkic-states-sign-etir-implementation-road-map-enhance-border-crossings-trade, (Access Date: 10.02.2025).
[5] “V Almaty Otkrylsya Mezhdunarodnyy Tsifrovoy Forum Digital Almaty-2025”, VecherKZ, https://vecher.kz/ru/article/v-almaty-otkrylsia-mejdunarodnyi-sifrovoi-forum-digital-almaty-2025.html, (Access Date: 10.02.2025).
