Secretary General: TRACECA cargo traffic set to reach 7.5 million tonnes in 2024

The Central Corridor remains in high demand, with dynamic growth in cargo flows recorded annually, according to Asset Assavbayev, Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat of the TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission.

"As of today, this corridor has been established. It is capable of transporting goods, with sufficient capacity at this stage. However, it does require further development, particularly addressing bottlenecks. This is the focus of ongoing discussions and collaborative efforts among the countries involved," Assavbayev stated.

According to him, a plan has been adopted by the participating countries to increase the corridor’s capacity to 10 million tonnes per year.

"This target of 10 million tonnes is expected to be achieved in the next two years, by 2025-2026. For instance, over the first 10 months of this year, more than 6.4 million tonnes of cargo have already been transported across the Caspian Sea. Therefore, it is highly likely that we will reach 7 to 7.5 million tonnes by the end of the year," he added.

The Secretary General also praised the ministerial roundtable held during COP29 on the topic of "Sustainable, Digital Central Corridor and Beyond." He noted that the discussions focused on critical issues such as digitalisation and the resilience of the corridor.

This ongoing development highlights the significant strides made in enhancing the TRACECA route as a vital trade and transport link for the region.

Notably, TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) is an intergovernmental initiative focused on enhancing international transport systems and driving socio-economic development across the Black Sea, Caucasus, and Central Asia regions. The foundation of TRACECA was laid at the Brussels Conference in 1993, with participation from the EU Commission and the governments of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Subsequently, Ukraine joined the Programme in 1996, followed by Moldova in 1998. Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye became members in 2000, with Iran joining in 2009. Lithuania was granted observer status in the same year, bringing the total number of participating countries to 14.

TRACECA serves as a regional transport network aimed at fostering economic growth, trade, and improving transport connections. The programme also operates an Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) under the Basic Multilateral Agreement (MLA) on International Transport for the Development of the Europe-Caucasus-Asia Corridor, which was signed at the 1993 Baku Summit and endorsed by 12 nations.

The organisational structure of TRACECA consists of the IGC TRACECA, the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA (PS IGC TRACECA), National Commissions, National Secretaries, and various working groups. Although the IGC’s operational body is the Permanent Secretariat based in Baku, Azerbaijan, National Secretaries act as permanent representatives in their respective countries.

During the 8th Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels on 13 October 2010, several key documents were approved, including the Draft Concept for the Reform of the PS IGC TRACECA, the Concept for the Development of Road Traffic Along the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia, strategies for increasing the competitiveness and attractiveness of TRACECA road routes, and the Statute of the PS IGC TRACECA. 

TRACECA continues to play a crucial role in advancing transport and trade links between Europe, the Caucasus, and Asia, supporting economic integration and regional collaboration.

By Aghakazim Guliyev