Central Asian leaders’ commitment to increased regional collaboration and integration was reiterated during the most recent summit that took place in Astana, Kazakhstan. On August 9, leaders of the five Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) and Azerbaijan convened for the 6^th Consultative Meeting of the Central Asian states. Azerbaijan’s participation in the summit within the C5+1 format as a guest of honor, for the second year in a row, highlights not only the need for heightened cooperation within Central Asia, but also the growing importance of South Caucasus as a gateway for Central Asia to European markets. 

During the meeting, the presidential speeches followed a familiar pattern, presenting broad proposals across various sectors, including trade, agriculture, connectivity, energy, and security. These general ideas were complemented by specific and innovative suggestions. Notably, speeches by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stood out, with special focus on Central Asia’s collective image and identity. Alluding to his recently published article “Renaissance of Central Asia: On the Path to Sustainable Development and Prosperity,” Tokayev discussed the emergence of "a new image of Central Asia" in international politics, while Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of the formation of a “pan-regional identity” and the need to further improve the format of the Consultative Meetings. Among Central Asian leaders, Tokayev and Mirziyoyev seem to be the most proactive in advocating for enhancing the effectiveness of intergovernmental relations, particularly by refining the formats of platforms like the Consultative Meetings of Heads of State.

However, other Central Asian leaders appear to put not as much emphasis on institutionalization, as Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted in his speech that these meetings “should be of consultative nature, a platform for political communication without strictly regulating rules and procedures.” While this reflects a difference in priorities rather than outright disagreement, trade figures show that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the leading advocates for regional integration, have reaped the benefits of increased cooperation. Over the last five years, bilateral trade has risen by 29%, reaching $5 billion in 2022, with Uzbekistan accounting for more than 57% of Kazakhstan’s total trade turnover with Central Asian nations.

Another important aspect of the summit included discussions in the security sphere. Kazakh President Tokayev proposed developing new effective forms of cooperation in the field of security, which was also endorsed by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Indeed, security cooperation in the region has developed to new levels over the last few years: in July 2024, armed forces from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan conducted joint military exercises “Birlestik-2024” in Kazakhstan, for the first time ever without Russia’s participation. In this line, while deliverin his speech in the summiit, Azerbaijani President Aliyev stressed that “growing threats and challenges globally require the strengthening of cooperation between our countries in the sphere of defense and security,” which speaks to itself when it comes. 

During the summit, the five Central Asian leaders signed the “Central Asia 2040” regional cooperation development concept. Additionally, the “Roadmap for Regional Cooperation Development 2025-2027” and the “Action Plan for Industrial Cooperation of Central Asian States 2025-2027” were approved, in which Azerbaijan was designated as a key ally. “Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia represent a single historical, cultural, and geopolitical space, with growing strategic importance. Our peoples share a centuries-old history, culture, religion, and common values,” said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who was also invited to the summit that took place in Dushanbe in 2023 as a guest of honor.  

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in high-level exchanges between Azerbaijan and Central Asian states, establishing a solid foundation for expanding and deepening their cooperation. Over the past two years alone, Aliyev has made 16 visits to Central Asia, while Central Asian leaders have made 15 reciprocal visits to Azerbaijan, underscoring the strength of these bilateral relationships. The growing importance of the Middle Corridor as a viable transport route has further emphasized the need for increased regional collaboration. Additionally, Azerbaijan's strategic location serves as a crucial gateway for Central Asian countries to access Europe. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Middle Corridor has risen to the occasion as a key route for both Central Asian states, as well as China to export their products to European markets. In 2023, the trade volume between Azerbaijan and Central Asian states reached approximately $1.4 billion. The cooperation hasn’t been limited to trade, with countries looking for opportunities to transport energy across the Caspian Sea. Among the initiatives discussed during the summit, a “green power plan” by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to export solar- and wind-generated electricity across the Caspian Sea to Western markets was specifically mentioned. 

Since their inception in 2018, the Consultative Meetings of Heads of State of Central Asia have established an institutional framework for intra-regional interaction and collaboration. Although progress is still needed in defining a comprehensive regional identity and vision, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has opened significant opportunities for the Caspian region to pursue an independent growth trajectory. Azerbaijan's participation in these meetings since 2023 highlights the growing need for cooperation between Central Asia and the South Caucasus to effectively develop transportation corridors, which play a crucial role in strengthening these ties.