Azerbaijan hosted a rare gathering of Middle Eastern and Asian leaders in Baku on Thursday, bringing together representatives of countries with conflicting interests alongside those seeking closer political and economic partnerships. The summit focused on confidence-building measures, conflict resolution and opportunities for cooperation amid shifting global dynamics.
Organised under the leadership of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) provided a platform for dialogue despite existing regional rivalries. Discussions addressed political differences while exploring ways to strengthen connectivity, economic cooperation and regional stability.
Diverse Participation and Shared Challenges
The summit brought together Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Palestine.
Leaders and senior officials from China, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan also participated, reflecting the forum’s broad regional reach. Bilateral meetings alongside the main discussions provided additional opportunities to address differences and explore common interests.
Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s strategic position between Asia and Europe, describing the country as an increasingly important connecting hub across the Eurasian region.
Connectivity and Economic Cooperation
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed a CICA transport connectivity strategy to strengthen links across Asia. He argued that economic cooperation and shared infrastructure projects could reduce tensions, promote trust and improve regional integration.
Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic partnership with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, particularly their plans for a Caspian green energy corridor. The initiative aims to facilitate the transmission of green energy to European markets through the Black Sea. He also referred to the potential benefits of existing energy infrastructure, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
Calling the 21st century potentially an Asian era, Tokayev stressed that regional countries must work collectively to ensure it becomes a period of peace rather than division.
Digital Links and Regional Stability
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan formally inaugurated a fibre-optic cable across the Caspian seabed, strengthening digital connectivity between Asia and Europe. The project forms part of the broader Middle Corridor initiative linking China and Central Asia with European markets.
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for an “infrastructure of trust in Asia”, arguing that coordinated transport and energy projects could help prevent future conflicts.
The summit underscored the growing importance of dialogue, infrastructure and economic partnerships in navigating regional rivalries and an evolving international order.
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