Azerbaijan Hosts CICA Summit to Expand Regional Connectivity and Membership

Azerbaijan hosted the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Baku on October 15, positioning itself as a central hub for Eurasian connectivity despite sharp diplomatic divisions. The gathering concluded with the adoption of the Baku Declaration, a document emphasizing multilateralism and digital integration, even as the limits of regional “confidence building” were tested by high-profile walkouts.

The summit served as a platform for significant infrastructure milestones, most notably the advancement of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, often referred to as the Middle Corridor. During the proceedings, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan launched a 380-kilometer fiber-optic communication line across the Caspian Sea. This “Digital Silk Way” project is designed to establish a high-capacity data corridor between Asia and Europe, bypassing traditional terrestrial routes.

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan launched a 380-kilometer fiber-optic project during the summit.

Diplomatic Friction and Institutional Expansion

The summit’s goal of fostering regional dialogue faced immediate disruption when the Iranian delegation and approximately a dozen other representatives staged a walkout. The protest occurred as Israeli President Isaac Herzog took the floor to deliver his address. The incident highlighted the persistent geopolitical volatility that Azerbaijan must navigate as it maintains diplomatic ties with both Israel and its regional neighbors.

Despite these tensions, CICA expanded its institutional reach. Laos was officially admitted as the organization’s 29th member state, signaling continued interest in the forum’s role as a platform for Asian security and economic cooperation. To ensure continuity in leadership, Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of CICA was officially extended for the 2026–2028 period.

Internal leadership transitions were also finalized during the Baku summit. Sultan Hajiyev was appointed as the new CICA Secretary General for the 2026–2030 term.

The concluding Baku Declaration reaffirmed the member states’ commitment to connectivity and digitalization. For Azerbaijan, the summit reinforced its strategic role as a mediator and transit state, managing to secure landmark regional agreements on transport and technology while hosting historical rivals on a single stage.

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