Azerbaijan is actively transforming from a landlocked nation into a pivotal international transit and logistics hub, according to President Ilham Aliyev.
As reported by the Operative Information Center-OMM, President Ilham Aliyev made these remarks during his address at the opening ceremony of the Islamic Development Bank Group's 2026 Annual Meetings.
The head of state emphasized that Azerbaijan currently holds a leading position in terms of the geography of natural gas supplies. "Azerbaijan currently exports natural gas to 16 countries. This number is increasing year by year and will continue to grow. At the same time, our oil supply reaches an even wider range of nations. All of this serves the interests of producers, transit countries, and consumers alike," President Ilham Aliyev stated.
Highlighting the country's strategic investments, the President noted that Azerbaijan is heavily funding infrastructure development both domestically and internationally. "We are engaged in international-scale infrastructure projects not only within the country but also beyond its borders. We are striving to transform Azerbaijan from a landlocked country into a hub for international transportation," he added.
Context: The Middle Corridor, or the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, has become a cornerstone of Azerbaijan's economic strategy. By connecting China and Central Asia to Europe via the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus, this route significantly reduces transit times compared to traditional maritime alternatives. Azerbaijan's ongoing investments in the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the modernization of railway networks are critical components of this broader vision to integrate the region into global supply chains.
