On October 8, at the VIII Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan at the Avaza Complex, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented a number of institutional initiatives. Given that intraregional trade turnover has reached $13 billion, Astana proposed adopting a joint Action Plan to increase it to $20 billion, 24.kz reported.
To ensure economic sustainability, the head of state called for accelerating key railway projects (Moiynty-Kyzylzhar, Darbaza-Maktaaral, and Bakhty-Ayagoz), as well as agreeing on a unified tariff policy for the Trans-Caspian route. In the area of water and environmental security, Tokayev initiated the development of a Framework Convention on Water Use in Central Asia and the creation of an International Water Organization under the auspices of the UN.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's statements at the Avaza summit emphasize Astana's strategic focus on translating regional dialogue into clearly measurable indicators and institutions:
- A new benchmark for trade: Setting the $20 billion target sets the pace for cross-border industrial cooperation centers (particularly on the borders with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan). The transition from raw materials supplies to mutual value chains is the only way to protect the macro-region from external shocks.
- Institutionalization of water diplomacy: The proposal for a Framework Convention on Water Management and a UN Water Organization raises the chronic problem of low water levels in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins to a systemic legal level. This will reduce the risk of water disputes between upstream and downstream countries.
- Eurasian transport highway: Synchronizing Kazakhstan's railway connections with the logistics capacities of Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries strengthens the macro-region's role as the main land artery between Asia and Europe.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 8, 2026