SPECA talks highlight Azerbaijan’s growing economic role in Central Asia

Azerbaijan has become a key transit and logistics hub for member countries of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), thanks to its growing infrastructure and efforts along the Middle Corridor, First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev said on April 9 during a ministerial meeting in Geneva.

Speaking at the gathering of economy ministers from SPECA countries, Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan had taken deliberate steps to lower trade and transport barriers within the framework of the UN-led initiative, Caliber.Az reports via domestic media.

“By strengthening logistics capabilities along the Middle Corridor, Azerbaijan has transformed into a transit and logistics center for SPECA countries,” Aliyev stated.

He underscored that successful, multilateral cooperation among the participating countries under SPECA plays a crucial role in ensuring regional stability amid ongoing global challenges. “In this context, discussions that support sustainable development in the region are of great importance,” he added.

Aliyev also highlighted the expanding trade relations between Azerbaijan and other SPECA member states. In 2024, Azerbaijan’s trade turnover with these countries exceeded $1.1 billion, while in the first two months of 2025 alone, it surpassed $191 million.

Participants at the meeting discussed a wide array of issues, including the implementation of strategic documents adopted under SPECA, the realization of trade and transport potential, and the strengthening of mutual trade ties. Among the topics was the Roadmap for the Digitalization of Multimodal Information and Document Exchange along the Middle Corridor, as well as financial mechanisms tied to the SPECA Multilateral Trust Fund.

The meeting brought together representatives from the public and private sectors, including companies engaged in agriculture, trade, finance, transport and logistics, energy, as well as members of the academic community and international experts.

By Tamilla Hasanova