SPECA: A landmark event of the states of Central Asia and the South Caucasus was held in Baku

On November 24, the city of Baku played host to the 25th-anniversary Summit of the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan participating in the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asian Countries, known as SPECA.

This milestone event marked the first-ever summit at the level of heads of state within the SPECA framework, an initiative spearheaded by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. President Aliyev's active engagement in the consolidation and integration of the Central Asian region and the South Caucasus was evident during the Fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States in Dushanbe on September 14-15. Notably, he not only attended as a guest but also played a pivotal role in advancing the regional cohesion process, extending an invitation to Central Asian leaders for the subsequent SPECA summit in Baku.

While the official agenda of the Baku SPECA summit ostensibly centered on inventories of harmful emissions into the atmosphere, the geopolitical complexities of the region suggested that discussions would encompass broader issues confronting the newly independent states.

A significant precursor to the Baku summit was the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) meeting in Astana on November 3. The OTS emphasized the region's integration trajectory, with the adoption of the "Prospects of the Turkic World - 2040" document outlining eight priorities under the acronym "TURKTIME." Traditions, Unification, Reforms, Knowledge, Trust, Investment, Mediation, and Energy. This strategic vision positions the OTS as a key player in regional and global dynamics, shaping alliances and partnerships on the world stage.

At the heart of the Baku Summit's strategic focus was logistics, identified as a vital conduit for integrating the Central Asian and South Caucasus region with the European continent. Notably, the heads of government of Georgia and Hungary, key players in the Central Asia-Europe projects, participated formally as guests, underscoring their pivotal roles.

The summit's final declaration articulated a comprehensive strategy for the Central Asian countries, emphasizing the development of regional cooperation and future collaboration with European and Asian markets. The goal is to transform the region into a global integration center, leading to the establishment of a Multilateral Trust Fund.

A pivotal aspect of the declaration urged authorities to enhance transport links to boost efficiency in communications between transport companies, freight forwarders, logistics centers, and national operators along the Middle East-West Corridor.

Despite variations in formats, nomenclature, and agendas across regional summits, a common thread of integration, cooperation, and logistics development emerged. The Middle Corridor, including its Zangezur component, consistently featured in these discussions, reflecting the participants' commitment to the global goals of the SPECA project.

While the next SPECA global meeting is scheduled for Dushanbe in a year, the swift propagation of the idea of regional integration suggests the likelihood of heightened activity in parallel projects and the emergence of new cooperation formats in the near future.