BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 29. Central Asia is
emerging as one of the world's key geopolitical and economic
centers, creating opportunities to expand regional cooperation and
strengthen stability, Chairperson of the Mejlis (Parliament) of
Turkmenistan Dunyagozel Gulmanova said.


This was reflected in a press release published by the Mejlis of
Turkmenistan following Gulmanova’s speech at the 4th
Interparliamentary Forum of Central Asian States, held today in
Dushanbe.


“The Central Asian region has currently evolved into one of the
world’s most significant geopolitical and economic hubs, fostering
multilateral cooperation among nations and serving as a key
guarantor of stability,” the press release quoted Gulmanova as
saying.


She also emphasized that Turkmenistan's goals and objectives are
focused on ensuring peace, establishing dialogue between countries,
and strengthening mutual trust.


These priorities are reflected in the region's growing
engagement with international partners, as Central Asian countries
expand cooperation through a series of high-level regional formats.
In November 2025, the leaders of the five Central Asian countries
met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington for the C5+1
summit marking the platform's 10th anniversary. In April 2025, the
European Union and Central Asian countries established a strategic
partnership at their first summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, while
Japan held its first summit with the region's five states at the
leaders' level in December 2025. The first Korea-Central Asia
summit followed in Seoul in September 2026, focusing on industrial
cooperation, critical minerals and supply chains.


The region's expanding international engagement has coincided
with growing trade ties. China's trade in goods with Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan reached $106.3
billion in 2025, up 12% year on year and exceeding the $100-billion
mark for the first time, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.
China also became the region's largest trading partner for the
first time.


Another important factor is logistics. The Middle Corridor, an
international multimodal transport route linking China and Central
Asia with the South Caucasus and Europe across the Caspian Sea, has
gained importance as countries seek to diversify trade routes and
strengthen supply-chain resilience. According to data cited by the
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), cargo
volumes along the Trans-Caspian route rose by 62% in 2024 to 4.5
million tons. In the period from January through August 2026,
freight volumes exceeded 3 million tons, up 11% year on year,
according to Azerbaijan Railways (ADY).







The growth has prompted investment in railways, ports and
logistics facilities. In February 2026, the World Bank approved an
$846 million guarantee to help mobilize $1.4 billion in commercial
financing for a railway connectivity project in Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, upgrades at the Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk are
aimed at improving cargo handling and increasing the route's
capacity. The World Bank estimates that at least $25 billion in
physical infrastructure investment will be needed along the
corridor through 2040, in addition to an estimated $30 billion for
logistics hubs, connecting links and other supporting
infrastructure.


Meanwhile, the European Union has stepped up its engagement with
Central Asia as it seeks to strengthen transport links and
diversify its trade routes. At the first EU-Central Asia summit in
Samarkand in April 2025, the sides elevated their relations to a
strategic partnership, with Brussels announcing a €12 billion
Global Gateway investment package covering connectivity and other
sectors. The EU has since promoted the Trans-Caspian route through
investment forums and infrastructure planning. In September 2026,
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an
ambition to mobilize up to €12 billion in public and private
investment for the Middle Corridor.


Azerbaijan has also strengthened its role in regional
cooperation and transport connectivity. In November 2025, the five
Central Asian states agreed to grant Azerbaijan full participation
in their Consultative Meeting format, a decision followed by an
informal meeting of the six countries' leaders in Cholpon-Ata,
Kyrgyzstan, on July 31, 2026. The expanded format was subsequently
reflected in the eighth Consultative Meeting, held in
Turkmenistan’s Turkmenbashi on October 8, where Azerbaijan
participated as a full member. The development has reinforced
political coordination between Central Asia and the South Caucasus,
including on trade, energy and transport links.


This growing regional cooperation also has an important
logistical dimension, with Azerbaijan serving as a key link between
Central Asia and markets in the South Caucasus, Türkiye and Europe.
Through the Middle Corridor, cargo transported across the Caspian
Sea can reach Azerbaijan's ports and railway network before
continuing westward. The route's growing importance has been
accompanied by efforts to expand transport infrastructure and
improve connectivity across the Caspian, strengthening economic
ties between Central Asia and the South Caucasus.


Energy resources are another major factor shaping Central Asia's
role in global trade. Kazakhstan is a major oil exporter, while
Turkmenistan is a leading natural gas supplier to China, and
Uzbekistan also exports uranium. Kazakhstan's oil and uranium
exports are important to European markets, while China remains a
key destination for the region's hydrocarbons. The European Union
has also stepped up energy cooperation with Central Asian
countries, reflecting its interest in diversifying supplies and
developing renewable energy.


Against this backdrop, Gulmanova's description of Central Asia
as an increasingly important geopolitical and economic center
reflects the region's growing international engagement, expanding
trade ties and rising importance as a transport link between Asia
and Europe. For Turkmenistan, these developments reinforce the
importance of regional stability, peaceful dialogue and mutual
trust as foundations for strengthening cooperation among Central
Asian states and their international partners.