ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for stronger economic integration, transport connectivity, water cooperation and artificial intelligence partnerships among Central Asian states and Azerbaijan at the eighth Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Avaza on Oct. 8.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivers a speech at the eighth Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Avaza, Turkmenistan. Photo credit: Akorda.
Held in the year marking 35 years of independence of the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan, the meeting focused on expanding regional cooperation and strengthening stability amid growing geopolitical tensions, Akorda reported.
Trade and connectivity
Tokayev proposed increasing intraregional trade from approximately $13 billion to at least $20 billion and called on governments to develop a joint action plan to achieve this target.
He also highlighted the potential of border trade and logistics hubs, as well as industrial cooperation centers, to create regional value chains.
Tokayev stressed Kazakhstan’s efforts to strengthen transport connectivity, noting the nearing completion of the Moyynty-Kyzylzhar and Darbaza-Maktaaral railway lines and the planned opening of the Bakhty-Ayagoz route next year.
He underscored the growing importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the Middle Corridor, and said World Bank estimates indicate that cargo traffic across the Caspian Sea could increase almost fourfold by 2040 if planned infrastructure projects are implemented.
Tokayev also proposed discussing the possible integration of the Middle Corridor with the TRIPP transport initiative at the expert level.
Water and AI cooperation
Water security was identified as another key priority. Tokayev called for new approaches to managing transboundary water resources and proposed advancing a Framework Convention of Central Asia on Water Use.
He also reiterated Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish an International Water Organization under the auspices of the United Nations.
In the technology sector, Tokayev proposed creating a Central Asian Partnership Program on Artificial Intelligence to facilitate cooperation among universities, research centers and technology companies.
He also suggested developing a Declaration on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence by Central Asian States and Azerbaijan.
Security and humanitarian ties
Tokayev stressed the importance of coordinated efforts against terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, organized crime and other transnational threats, including the misuse of digital technologies by criminals and terrorists.
He also called for stronger cultural and humanitarian ties through youth exchanges, academic cooperation and a common information space.
Among the proposals were a regional television channel based on Kazakhstan’s Silk Way TV, a 2027 Youth Forum on Volunteering, and a common calendar of major cultural, scientific, sporting and tourism events.
Focus on implementation
Tokayev urged greater attention to implementing regional initiatives, noting that more than 200 initiatives have been put forward since 2018, while only a small proportion have been implemented.
He proposed that foreign ministries inventory existing initiatives and assess their relevance and prospects.
A Joint Statement was adopted following the eighth Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan.
