Ashgabat: Prime Minister Ali Asadov of Azerbaijan attended the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting held in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, on May 22. During the limited-format session, he stressed the significance of humanitarian cooperation, identifying it as a central aspect of interaction among CIS member states. Ali Asadov emphasized that humanitarian projects hold immense potential for fostering mutual understanding and strengthening traditional friendly relations and trust among peoples.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the Prime Minister welcomed the decisions to name Minsk and Karaganda as the CIS Youth Capitals for 2027 and 2028, respectively. He also highlighted the recent conclusion of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, a significant international platform dedicated to sustainable development and urbanization, which attracted over 40,000 representatives from 182 countries. The forum addressed global housing challenges, sustainable urban development, climate resilience, and post-crisis recovery.
Ali Asadov underscored the growing economic and trade cooperation between Azerbaijan and CIS countries, noting a more than 10 percent increase in trade turnover between Azerbaijan and CIS member states in 2025. He pointed out the substantial potential for expanding mutual trade and investment cooperation, as well as implementing joint projects across various sectors.
The Prime Minister detailed Azerbaijan's socio-economic development priorities, highlighting progress in industry, agriculture, transport and logistics, and high-technology sectors. He noted the emphasis on green energy development, which strengthens environmental sustainability and expands Azerbaijan's investment and export potential. Asadov spoke about the restoration of the Garabagh region, focusing on sustainable development through green energy zones, advanced infrastructure, and smart city and village concepts.
Furthermore, Ali Asadov emphasized Azerbaijan's role as a key transport-logistics hub connecting Europe and Asia. He cited large-scale infrastructure projects and international transport corridors as crucial to enhancing the country's transit potential and logistical connectivity across Eurasia. The Prime Minister also noted the acceleration of initiatives to diversify the economy, including the 'Strategy for the Development of the Digital Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026-2029,' which aims to advance technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
In his concluding remarks, Ali Asadov reiterated Azerbaijan's commitment to good-neighborliness, mutual respect, and constructive partnership within the CIS. The meeting of the heads of government transitioned to an expanded format and concluded with the signing of several documents.