Minister: Baku forum becomes permanent platform for regional energy transition dialogue

The Investment Forum on Energy Transition for Central Asia has evolved into a permanent platform for dialogue and practical cooperation across the region, Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said on June 1.

Speaking at a panel session during Baku Energy Week, Shahbazov said the forum, first held in Baku during COP29, has since developed into a recurring mechanism for coordination on renewable energy, infrastructure integration and investment flows, Caliber.Az reports.

He highlighted the growing involvement of regional partners, including Türkiye, which is set to host COP31, as evidence of expanding strategic alignment on energy transition priorities.

The forum is supported by the Accelerated Partnership for Renewable Energy in Central Asia (APRECA), an initiative launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency, aimed at strengthening links between Central Asia and neighbouring regions in renewable energy development and critical materials supply chains.

According to Shahbazov, the global energy system is undergoing “a profound and rapid transformation”, driven by energy security concerns, climate objectives, technological innovation and rising demand. He argued that the energy transition should be viewed not only as an environmental agenda, but as a strategic process underpinning economic resilience and geopolitical stability.

He also pointed to the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence and data centres on electricity demand, warning that existing power grids are not yet fully adapted to manage the pace of growth. The minister stressed that the challenge lies not only in expanding generation capacity, particularly renewables, but in upgrading transmission infrastructure to integrate new supply effectively.

Shahbazov underlined the importance of mobilising investment and ensuring access to global financing to support large-scale transition projects, particularly in Central Asia.

A key flagship initiative, he said, is the Central Asia–Azerbaijan green energy corridor, underpinned by a strategic partnership agreement signed in Baku by the presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan two years ago.

He added that Azerbaijan’s renewable energy strategy is expected to raise the share of renewables in its domestic energy mix to around 43% by 2035.

Alongside this corridor, work is advancing on wider regional interconnections, including routes linking Azerbaijan with Türkiye and Europe, as well as the Azerbaijan–Georgia–Türkiye–Bulgaria axis.

Shahbazov also described the Trans-Caspian green energy corridor as a central component of a broader “geo-economic architecture” connecting Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Europe through integrated energy and digital infrastructure, including potential fibre-optic links.

He reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to expanding its green energy agenda, describing regional energy corridors as a foundation for future economic integration and sustainable development.