Central Asia Monitoring Desk Islamabad
he leaders of Central Asia and Azerbaijan adopted the Cholpon-Ata Declaration on July 31, 2026, following an informal consultative summit in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. The agreement formalizes a six-sided macro-regional partnership aimed at deepening economic integration, transit connectivity, and joint development across Eurasia.
During the summit in Cholpon-Ata, the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan discussed expanding cooperation in trade, energy, transport, tourism, and cultural-humanitarian sectors. The agenda also addressed regional security issues and coordination within international organizations.
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for stronger regional coordination and a broader development space linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Afghanistan.
The meeting in the Kyrgyz resort city of Cholpon-Ata brought together Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The leaders exchanged views on key issues related to sustainable development, economic growth, regional security and improving the well-being of their populations.
Opening his remarks, Mirziyoyev thanked Japarov for initiating the informal summit and hosting the leaders on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. He also expressed appreciation to Berdimuhamedov for Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the Consultative Meeting format.
The leaders noted the progress achieved by Central Asian countries as they prepare to mark the 35th anniversaries of their independence, highlighting advances in state-building, economic development and national renewal.
Mirziyoyev said the region, once characterized by fragmented relations, was increasingly uniting around shared development goals.
Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex and unpredictable international environment, he called for stronger coordination and more decisive joint action.
The Uzbek president said Azerbaijan’s participation in the Consultative Meeting format was elevating cooperation to a new macroregional level.
The leaders also presented their views on the current state and future direction of cooperation between Central Asia and Azerbaijan.
The summit concluded with the adoption of the Cholpon-Ata Declaration, outlining the countries’ shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and advancing common development priorities.
The Consultative Meetings of Central Asian heads of state were established to strengthen regional dialogue and cooperation among Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Azerbaijan’s participation reflects growing links between Central Asia and the South Caucasus, particularly in trade, transport, energy and connectivity projects connecting the two regions.
Central Asian countries may introduce a single tourist visa for foreign visitors. The proposal was announced during the informal meeting of Central Asian leaders in Cholpon-Ata.
- The Cholpon-Ata Declaration: Signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to cement regional trust and long-term sustainable development.
- Macro-Regional Expansion: Builds directly on Azerbaijan’s full admission into the Central Asian Leaders’ Consultative Meeting format, linking Central Asia tightly with the South Caucasus.
- Transport & Infrastructure: Prioritizes strategic projects like the Middle Corridor, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and trans-Caspian digital and physical networks.
- Energy & Climate Security: Focuses on joint responses to climate change impacts, green energy transitions, and water-energy management initiatives.
- Next Meeting: The nations scheduled their next formal consultative summit to take place in Awaza, Turkmenistan, on October 8, 2026.
