Central Asia, Azerbaijan Leaders Launch Joint E-Commerce Platform at Turkmen Summit

The presidents of five Central Asian states and Azerbaijan convened in Avaza, Turkmenistan, on October 8 for the 8th Consultative Meeting, marking Azerbaijan's debut as a full participant in the expanded C6 format. Hosted by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the summit produced a joint statement identifying East-West and North-South transport corridors as strategic priorities for regional development.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov proposed creating a common electronic commerce platform for Central Asia and Azerbaijan to deepen economic ties. He noted that Kyrgyzstan's trade volume with the other five nations nearly doubled to $3.5 billion in 2025, while direct investment from those countries exceeded $140 million.

“I believe it is now important to intensify negotiations and practical steps toward establishing transport and logistics connectivity along the East–West and North–South routes.”

Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov urged intensified negotiations on transport connectivity, highlighting the Central Asia–Caspian–South Caucasus–Europe corridor. He offered Turkmenistan's Caspian port infrastructure and rail links to Iran for mutually beneficial projects, noting ongoing coordination with Russia, Kazakhstan, and Iran on the North-South corridor's eastern branch.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's attendance underscored Baku's growing role as a link between Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe. MP Vugar Rahimzada described the cooperation as a strategic partnership driven by political dialogue, transport projects, and energy cooperation. Analyst Zahid Oruc framed Azerbaijan's full membership as an expression of its enhanced geopolitical status following recent victories.

The Cholpon-Ata Declaration of July 31, 2026, provided the legal foundation for Azerbaijan's full participation, transforming bilateral ties into a structured regional framework. Leaders also discussed counterterrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and digital security threats alongside industrial cooperation and cross-border investment.