In contemporary international politics, the Central Asian region plays an increasingly important role due to its geostrategic and economic significance. The positive dynamics of current interregional cooperation have laid the foundation for intensifying not only bilateral but also multilateral meetings among the countries of the region. In this context, the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, scheduled to take place in October 2026 in “Avaza” National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan, generates particular interest as a historic event defining the future development of the region.

The unanimous adoption of the decision on the accession of the Republic of Azerbaijan to this format as a full participant at the Consultative Meeting held in Tashkent in 2025 elevated regional cooperation to a new strategic level. Connecting the two shores of the Caspian Sea, this multilateral interaction platform paves the way for further strengthening economic, energy, and transport-logistics bridges between Central Asia and the East-West. Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of this prestigious format in 2026 is a vivid recognition of our country’s peace-loving foreign policy aimed at strengthening peace, stability, and good-neighborliness in the region.

As emphasized by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the informal consultative meeting in the city of Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan approaches the Avaza summit with high responsibility and is carrying out large-scale preparatory work to conduct it at a high organizational and substantive level. The draft agenda proposed to the participating states includes five key strategic areas:

• Peace, Security, and Stability: Forming multilateral, coordinated approaches to major political-legal and security issues within the region and on the international stage.
• Political-Diplomatic Mutual Trust: Strengthening political dialogue between fraternal states and stepping up mutual support within international organizations.
• Economy, Energy, and Transport-Logistics System: Expanding international transit corridors passing through the Caspian Sea (specifically the “East–West” route), multimodal transport infrastructure, and joint projects in the energy sector.
• Ecology and Water Resource Management: Adapting to climate change, efficiently using the water resources of the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers, and coordinating measures to mitigate the effects of the Aral Sea crisis.
• Cultural-Humanitarian and Youth Policy: Further deepening the historical bonds of friendship and unity among peoples in the fields of education, science, culture, and sports.

The selection of “Avaza” National Tourist Zone as the summit venue is also of immense significance. Located on the picturesque coast of the Caspian Sea, Avaza is not only a world-class resort area, but has also transformed in recent years into a cultural and diplomatic hub hosting major political, economic, and ecological forums of regional and global relevance. Alongside high-level meetings of heads of state, the summit will feature business forums, exhibitions, and cultural events.

The Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Avaza will mark an important practical step toward ensuring sustainable development and prosperity throughout the region, elevating the centuries-old friendly and fraternal relations between Central Asian nations and Azerbaijan to a new height.