On November 20-24, "SPECA Days" will be held in Baku within the framework of the UN and its Special Program for the Economies of Central Asian Countries (SPECA). This platform was created 25 years ago. Heads of state and government of Central Asian countries, Georgia, Hungary, and representatives of international organizations participate in the forum chaired by Azerbaijan. Within the framework of the event, industrial working groups on trade, gender, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), an economic forum, and the 18th session of the SPECA management were being held. An exhibition called "SPECA countries: regional cooperation for sustainable development" was also organized within the forum. In the discussions, special attention is paid to the study of new strategies to solve the common problems of the participating states and the creation of a trust fund within the program.

Ilham Aliyev's speech

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that when SPECA was created, the member countries were taking the first steps of state independence. "We faced many problems and challenges. In the last 25 years, the main challenges have been left behind, we have strengthened our state sovereignty, become valuable members of the international world, and developed rapidly economically," he said.

Aliyev emphasized political stability as one of the factors that unite member countries. "There can be no question of economic development without stability. Today, wars, conflicts, and bloody clashes have become widespread in different regions of the world. In our countries, peace, stability, and tranquility prevail, and development and construction processes are going on successfully. This is a great achievement and success of our states and peoples," the head of the country said.

The President of Azerbaijan thinks that establishing the SPECA Trust Fund under the auspices of the UN is a commendable step. "Azerbaijan will allocate 3.5 million US dollars to this Fund. The economic forum organized in Baku during the SPECA week will contribute to developing business relations between our countries," he added.

Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan and Central Asia are a single historical, cultural, and geopolitical space of growing strategic importance. "In September, I was invited for the first time as an honored guest to the Central Asian Heads of State Summit held in Dushanbe. Thank you again for the invitation. I consider the current summit as a logical continuation of the Dushanbe meeting," the President noted.

The Azerbaijani leader believes that Azerbaijan managed to create a favorable investment environment. "In the last 20 years, more than 310 billion US dollars have been invested in the economy of Azerbaijan, of which nearly 200 billion US dollars are allocated to the non-energy sector. In recent years, Azerbaijan has invested billions of US dollars in its transport infrastructure and has become one of the transport and logistics centers located on the East-West and North-South transport corridors of Eurasia," the head of state said.

Meeting with the Prime Minister of Hungary

On November 23, Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Viktor Orbán, Hungary's Prime Minister.

The head of Azerbaijan noted that Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries constitute a single space from political, economic, and geopolitical points of view: "Economic integration deepens even more between these countries. New cooperation projects and platforms, which connect Central Asia with Caspian and Black Seas, are developed in the transport, energy including renewable energy and other fields."

They highlighted that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Soltanli village is held jointly with Hungary in the de-occupied Jabrayil district of Azerbaijan, which is of vital importance, underlining that this project would be implemented with the participation of Hungarian companies.

Successful cooperation between the countries within international organizations was noted at the meeting. They lauded the development of economic, trade, and investment relations between Azerbaijan and Hungary. From this point of view, the significance of energy projects between the two countries was especially underlined. The discussions also revolved around cooperation in tourism, pharmaceuticals, transport, logistics, and other areas.

Meeting with the President of Tajikistan

On November 24, Ilham Aliyev met with Emomali Rahmon, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Aliyev said, "Our relations are developing very successfully. Recently, we have repeatedly discussed with you the development of bilateral relations in various areas. I am sure your current visit will also be important in strengthening our ties. Members of the delegations are staying in close touch as they met yesterday and continued today. There are multiple plans and projects. The main point is fraternity of our peoples, and I am sure, our shared future."

Emomali Rahmon noted: "Our interaction is developing dynamically in both trade and humanitarian fields. We rejoice at our Azerbaijani friends' success as your country develops. You are right to note that our ministries and departments have embarked on very active cooperation in recent years, particularly following your state visit to Dushanbe. Many programs are being developed, and we are talking about it now. Thank you for your invitation. We are preparing for the next year's visit. We are currently working on it, and our respective bodies are interacting. I believe that it would give a strong impetus to our bilateral relations. Today, I am ready to discuss with you the current state and prospects for our relations and regional problems."

Meeting with the President of Kyrgyzstan

On the same day, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan met with Sadyr Zhaparov, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Ilham Aliyev said, "The dynamics of our relations are clear evidence of how close our countries and peoples are to each other. We will always support each other and do so in international institutions as well in the future. Today, we are addressing important issues related to the increase in commodity turnover and investment policy and further bringing our countries closer together. We have been meeting quite often at international events recently. This is always a good opportunity to discuss issues on the agenda. Today, with the participation of our delegations, we will once again sum up the work done this year – the year is coming to an end. We will also identify our next steps. So, you are welcome again."

Zhaparov emphasized: "Last year, there were two high-level meetings: the Interstate Council was established at the level of heads of state, and its first meeting was held. The ever-strengthening and expanding high-level relations have created conditions for active interaction between parliaments, governments, and relevant ministries. In 2022, several agreements reached during our reciprocal visits acquired practical proportions thanks to the fifth meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation, which was held in Cholpon-Ata under the chairmanship of the deputy heads of government on July 26 this year."

During the conversation, the sides described a positive development, the expansion of economic and commercial relations between the two countries, and the organization of direct flights. The heads of state stressed the importance of establishing the Azerbaijan-Kyrgyz Investment Fund, adding that this would create favorable opportunities for implementing joint economic projects. The sides also exchanged views on developing cultural and humanitarian relations between the two countries.

Meeting with the President of Kazakhstan

On November 24, Aliyev met with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The sides noted with satisfaction that Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan always support each other in international organizations and that cooperation in economy, trade, and transport was expanding. The heads of state exchanged views on the transportation of Kazakh oil across the territory of Azerbaijan and the use of Azerbaijan's transport infrastructure, as well as the development of transport and logistical facilities and the Trans-Caspian transport corridor. The presidents also stressed the importance of the "Digital Silk Road" project, the issue of extending a cable along the Caspian seabed. They expressed their satisfaction with the cooperation between the two countries. The sides also described the establishment of multimodal cooperation involving Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye on the middle corridor and the establishment of a separate company as a positive development in terms of developing transport and logistical opportunities. The two leaders noted the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan trilateral cooperation in energy, the extension of an electric cable under the Caspian Sea, and future exports to Europe.

President Ilham Aliyev stated that, along with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, Azerbaijan was currently contributing to increasing the throughput capacity and transport opportunities of an alternative corridor passing through the southern regions of Azerbaijan across the territory of Iran in the direction to Nakhchivan and the construction of the Kars-Igdir railway line by Türkiye.

During the conversation, the sides emphasized the importance of SPECA, noting that this Summit was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Program. The President of Azerbaijan said with pleasure that in addition to SPECA member countries, this Summit was being joined by Hungary and Georgia, which are friends and partners for regional states. It was mentioned that Hungary and Georgia were also partner countries in transport and logistical capabilities.

Meeting with the President of Uzbekistan

On the same day, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, met with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Aliyev said, "We meet so frequently that it seems we do not even part. Of course, it is good. During my Uzbekistan trip and your state visit to Azerbaijan, we agreed with you this way that the more frequently we communicate, the better it will be for our countries and people. In my opinion, our societies see it all - the brotherhood of the Presidents, the interaction of team members, and the main point – the result. Results are already seen. We defined a very ambitious plan for economic, trade, and industrial development and cooperation with you. Everything is being fulfilled. As we agreed, we regularly monitor the implementation of instructions and did not reprehend anybody yet. I am hopeful it never gets to this point."

The sides discussed concrete projects related to the expansion of economic and trade relations in various spheres and new areas of cooperation.

During the conversation, they pointed out cooperation within international organizations and in cultural and humanitarian fields.