In comments to the Azerbaijani news agency “APA”б Azamat Seitov described the state visit by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Uzbekistan on August 23–24 as the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations. In his view, Tashkent and Baku are moving from a high level of political trust toward the establishment of long-term mechanisms for economic, investment, and regional cooperation. The expert attached particular importance to the signed Treaty of Eternal Friendship, which, in his view, cements the strategic nature of the rapprochement and provides political guarantees for the continuity of the chosen course. Azamat Seitov emphasized that the continued stability of the alliance will depend on the parties’ ability to transform political capital into concrete economic results – joint production projects, investments, and new transport chains. He also noted the broader regional significance of the cooperation: Azerbaijan strengthens Uzbekistan’s access to European markets via the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Turkey, while Uzbekistan expands Baku’s opportunities for access to Central Asia and China. In his view, the successful implementation of these initiatives could make the Azerbaijani-Uzbek partnership one of the pillars of a new system of ties between Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Read more on APA * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

In an interview with AZERTAC, Khayotjon Ibragimov discusses the growing strategic importance of Azerbaijan for Central Asia’s connectivity and economic development. He argues that the Middle Corridor is moving beyond political declarations towards practical economic implementation, offering Central Asian states more diversified access to European and global markets through the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus. In this context, Azerbaijan is presented not simply as a transit country, but as a strategic partner whose infrastructure, including the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, is essential to the viability of the Trans-Caspian route. Ibragimov identifies several practical priorities for strengthening the corridor, including the creation of a single digital transport corridor, harmonised electronic freight documentation, automated customs procedures, a unified multimodal operator and more predictable tariff policies. He also stresses the importance of expanding the merchant fleet, developing new logistics centres and linking the Middle Corridor with emerging transport arteries such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway. According to the expert, these measures could reduce logistical bottlenecks and make the route more commercially competitive. The interview also examines the potential of a broader C6+1 format involving the five Central Asian states and Azerbaijan. Ibragimov argues that such a framework could strengthen the region’s collective negotiating position with the European Union, China and international investors, while facilitating cooperation in transport, energy, trade and regional security. Particular attention is given to possible electricity links across the Caspian and Black Seas, the export of Central Asian green energy to European markets, joint processing of raw materials, and stronger coordination in protecting critical infrastructure. He concludes that deeper integration with Azerbaijan could contribute to the formation of a more resilient and self-sustaining economic space in Central Asia. Read on AZERTAC * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

In an interview with the Azerbaijani news agency AZERTAC, Khayotjon Ibragimov described the current state of Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations as a phase of deep institutional alliance. In his view, the rapprochement between Tashkent and Baku goes far beyond traditional bilateral friendship and forms the basis for a broader geo-economic link between Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The expert paid particular attention to energy cooperation. Among the key areas, he highlighted the collaboration between “Uzbekneftegaz” and SOCAR, joint geological exploration, the development of a modern network of gas stations, as well as the prospects for green energy transit across the Caspian Sea. He also highlighted the significance of the trilateral project between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan to create an energy corridor capable of bringing Central Asia’s renewable electricity to European markets. The interview also underscored the strategic role of transportation and logistics cooperation. Khayotjon Ibragimov noted the importance of the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor, the synchronization of railway infrastructure, the expansion of the Alyat Port’s capacity, and the prospects for connecting these routes to the “China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan” railway. In his view, it is precisely the combination of energy and transportation integration that can transform the Uzbek-Azerbaijani partnership into one of the key elements of the new Eurasian connectivity architecture. Read more on the AZERTAC website * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

This interview examines the transformation of relations between Tashkent and Baku from traditional bilateral cooperation into a broader strategic and geo-economic partnership. The article features insights from Azamat Seitov, head of the Laboratory of Anthropology and Conflict Studies at IAIS, who notes that the alliance between the two countries is increasingly influencing interactions between Central Asia and the South Caucasus, strengthening regional connectivity, economic stability, and transportation independence. Particular attention is paid to the economic, energy, and transportation-logistics dimensions of cooperation. Azamat Seitov highlights the prospects for joint production projects in the automotive, textile, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in construction, the mining sector, and the energy sector. The article separately examines cooperation with SOCAR on the Ustyurt Plateau, the development of “green energy,” as well as the integration of the Middle Corridor with the “China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan” railway and other transport routes capable of strengthening Uzbekistan’s position in Eurasian supply chains. The article also analyzes the broader institutional impact of the Azerbaijani-Uzbek rapprochement. According to Azamat Seitov, Azerbaijan’s participation in the regional dialogue signifies a transition from the “C5” format to a broader “Central Asia–Azerbaijan” framework, opening up additional opportunities for cooperation in industry, investment, energy, and transportation. The article also highlights the potential of Baku and Tashkent as one of the driving forces behind further practical integration within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States. Read more on APA * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

Mukhammad Khujanazarov, intern at the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS), was interviewed by the China Social Sciences Network (CSSN) on global artificial intelligence governance, technological capacity in developing countries, and the role of the Global South in the emerging international AI agenda. The interview discussed not only the rapid development of artificial intelligence, but also the growing differences in technological capabilities and institutional capacity between countries. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that developing countries are not positioned merely as users of emerging technologies, but also have a meaningful role in shaping international rules, standards, and governance frameworks for AI. The interview also explored the importance of strengthening AI-related infrastructure, expertise, and research capacity across the Global South. Mukhammad noted that international cooperation on AI should go beyond technology transfer and include the development of local expertise, research networks, and institutional capacity, while creating greater opportunities for developing countries to participate in global decision-making on AI governance. From this perspective, the discussion also considered how emerging international initiatives and cooperation platforms could provide countries of the Global South with greater opportunities to strengthen their voice and contribute to the development of a more inclusive global AI governance framework. Read on CSSN * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

In an interview with the Anadolu Agency, the head of the Center for Strategic Connectivity, Nargiza Umarova, analyzed the prospects for Tajikistan’s new transportation initiatives, including the Tajikistan–Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Turkey–Europe route. In her assessment, this corridor is still in the early stages of development but already reflects Dushanbe’s desire to overcome its transportation isolation, expand its transit capacity, and integrate into new Eurasian logistics chains. Of particular importance here is the connection with Uzbekistan, for which the diversification of foreign trade and transportation routes is also a priority. Umarova emphasizes that the feasibility of the new route does not negate existing problems. Key challenges remain: differences in the regulatory and transportation systems of the participating countries; the need to standardize transport documents, tariffs, and technical requirements; and the digitization of logistics procedures. The expert pays particular attention to the infrastructure factor: since the Tajik section of the route currently relies mainly on road transport, the development of modern road infrastructure is becoming a key condition for the competitiveness of the entire corridor. The interview also discusses the Tajikistan–China-Pakistan route. Umarova clarifies that this route differs from the one to Europe: while the first corridor is geared toward connecting China to European markets by land, the Pakistan route is primarily linked to Tajikistan’s access to the southern seas and Pakistan’s port infrastructure. In her view, these routes should not be viewed as competing: they operate along different geographical axes and can simultaneously strengthen Tajikistan’s role as a link between China, Central Asia, Europe, and South Asia. Read the interview on the Anadolu website * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.