Washington: The traditional Trans-Caspian Forum was recently held in Washington, the capital of the United States. Organized by the Caspian Policy Center (CPC), the forum featured high-ranking officials from Azerbaijan, the United States, Kazakhstan, Trkiye, and other countries, alongside regional and global leaders. This year's event marked the CPC's 10th anniversary and was themed 'Middle Corridor at a Turning Point: Developing the Next-Generation for the Trans-Caspian Region.'

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Afgan Nifti, CEO of the Caspian Policy Center, highlighted the United States' growing interest in Central Asia and the Caucasus, particularly in energy, technology, and critical minerals. He cited recent meetings, such as the one involving leaders from Azerbaijan and Armenia at the White House with President Donald Trump in August last year, as evidence of the U.S.'s increasing strategic interest in the region.

Erzhan Kazykhan, Special Representative of the President of Kazakhstan for Negotiations with the U.S., addressed the forum via video link, emphasizing Kazakhstan's opportunities for enhanced cooperation with the U.S. and regional partners. Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, also spoke via video link, noting the transformation of the Middle Corridor into a strategic geo-economic system linking Europe, especially amid conflicts in the Gulf region and Middle East.

Javlon Vakhabov, Deputy Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan, stressed the importance of alternative routes for expanding Central Asia's access to foreign markets. Meanwhile, Edil Baisalov, Special Representative of the President of Kyrgyzstan for International Initiatives, discussed the new opportunities the Middle Corridor presents for Kyrgyzstan and the broader region.

Senator Steve Daines, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, participated as a special guest, affirming the closer strategic ties between the U.S., Central Asia, and the Caucasus countries. The conference included panel discussions on various topics such as strengthening strategic choices, digital sovereignty, critical minerals, energy security, and business investments along the Middle Corridor. Government representatives, experts, and business community members shared their insights during the sessions.