Baku Hosts Caspian Economic Forum on Regional Trade Integration

Baku hosted the Caspian Economic Forum bringing together representatives from all five littoral states to advance regional trade integration, transportation connectivity, and investment facilitation across the strategic waterway linking Central Asia with the Caucasus and beyond.

Forum discussions prioritized Middle Corridor development, with participating nations agreeing to harmonize customs procedures, standardize documentation requirements, and coordinate infrastructure investments enabling efficient trans-Caspian cargo movements.

Port capacity expansion plans were presented by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, demonstrating collective commitment to handling increased freight volumes as the corridor gains importance for Europe-Asia trade bypassing Russian territory.

Energy cooperation featured prominently, including discussions on subsea pipeline possibilities, electricity transmission interconnections, and coordinated approaches to Caspian hydrocarbon resource development. Environmental protection frameworks for the shared sea received renewed attention.

Investment promotion agencies from participating countries established a coordination mechanism to jointly market the Caspian region to international investors. Tourism development cooperation was also advanced, with potential for cruise routes and heritage tourism circuits connecting historic Silk Road sites across multiple nations.