OMM Newsroom
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Baku to attend the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), held on October 14-15. Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are seeking to turn close political ties into broader economic cooperation.
Trade and investment are key areas of cooperation
According to figures announced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, trade between the two countries reached $795 million in 2025. The sides plan to raise the figure to $1 billion a year by 2030.
Joint industrial projects are already under way. Under a partnership between Uzbekistan’s Uzavtosanoat and Azerbaijan’s AzerMash at the Hajigabul Industrial Park, Chevrolet cars and Isuzu buses have been produced.
Cooperation is also expanding in the banking sector. Azerbaijan’s ABB bank has entered the Uzbek market through the ABB Davr project.
Middle Corridor and transport links
Landlocked Uzbekistan is seeking to improve its access to global markets via the Caspian Sea. Transit cargo between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan totaled 1.4 million tonnes in 2025. In the first half of 2026, the figure rose 12.2% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Both governments are investing in stronger links through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, known as the Middle Corridor, which connects Central Asia with the South Caucasus and European markets.
Tashkent has also expressed interest in supporting infrastructure development at Azerbaijan’s Port of Alat. Plans under consideration include establishing a joint fleet in the Caspian Sea and setting up an Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan transport corridor.
Uzbekistan supports Garabagh’s reconstruction
Alongside economic and transport cooperation, Uzbekistan is taking part in reconstruction projects in Azerbaijan’s Garabagh region.
Tashkent has built the Mirza Ulugbek School in Fuzuli, designed for 960 pupils, and invested in a garment production facility in Khankendi.
The factory, valued at $6.2 million, is expected to create about 800 jobs. The project is intended to support local employment and contribute to broader reconstruction efforts.
Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly praised Uzbekistan’s contribution to restoring social infrastructure and creating jobs in Garabagh.
Baku summit to discuss regional cooperation
Mirziyoyev’s visit coincides with the 7th CICA Summit hosted by Azerbaijan. The meeting, held under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, will address confidence-building, peace and security in Asia, as well as transport links, digitalization and sustainable economic growth.
Leaders are expected to adopt the Baku Declaration and a package of decisions aimed at strengthening the organization’s institutional role. The summit gives Uzbekistan an opportunity to advance its transport and economic interests and expand diplomatic ties with Asian countries. Mirziyoyev is also expected to hold bilateral talks with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the meeting.
Friendship treaty lays groundwork for joint projects
The visit follows Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s trip to Tashkent in August. During that visit, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan signed a Treaty of Eternal Friendship aimed at strengthening their strategic partnership and expanding cooperation.
The agreement laid the groundwork for broader cooperation in trade, investment and transport. Joint production, infrastructure development and investment have become key priorities. The Baku summit offers a further opportunity to turn political agreements into concrete projects and strengthen the two countries’ roles in regional economic ties.
