Azerbaijan seeks bigger global investment role ahead of Baku forum

Azerbaijan is stepping up efforts to strengthen its position as a regional hub for investment and connectivity ahead of the second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum in Baku this September.

The event follows the inaugural forum last year, which drew nearly 1,000 participants and reportedly resulted in investment agreements worth more than $10 billion.

This year’s edition is expected to attract a larger international audience, with discussions focusing on sustainable development, smart urban planning, regional trade routes and Azerbaijan’s expanding role in east–west and north–south connectivity corridors.

Against this backdrop, political analyst Rustam Taghizade, speaking to AnewZ, said the country is moving beyond simply participating in global economic discussions and is instead seeking to shape them.

‘We are setting the agenda’

Reflecting on the first forum, Taghizade said Azerbaijan has deliberately positioned itself as a convening power for global capital.

“Azerbaijan has moved beyond the phase of simply attending global events. With the first forum last year, Baku created its own platform. That is strategic,” he said.

“The message is clear. We are not just looking for investment. We are setting the agenda of what kind of investment we want.”

He noted that the event brought together sovereign wealth funds, development banks and private investors, describing it as a sign of confidence in a region where predictability and transparency remain key concerns for capital flows.

According to Taghizade, the forum resulted in more than $10 billion in agreements, alongside what he described as significant commitments in the non-oil sector. He added that Azerbaijan’s long-term focus is on directing investment into sectors including energy, logistics, technology and reconstruction.

‘Geography is no longer enough’

Discussing Azerbaijan’s broader economic positioning, Taghizade said the country’s geographic location remains a key advantage, but only if it is actively developed into functional connectivity.

“Geography is Azerbaijan’s natural advantage, but it is no longer enough to just sit at a crossroads,” he said.

“The real value comes from turning the geography into active connectivity.”

He highlighted Azerbaijan’s position between Russia, Iran, Türkiye and Central Asia, noting that global supply chain disruptions have increased the importance of overland routes as alternatives to maritime chokepoints.

He pointed to ongoing investment in ports, rail infrastructure and customs modernisation, saying these developments have significantly improved transit efficiency. In some cases, he said, container transport from China to Baku via the Middle Corridor can now take around 11 days.

“When the world looks for alternatives, Azerbaijan is now the first name on the list,” he added.

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'A moving cargo' 

Turning to infrastructure and regional trade, Taghizade said the Middle Corridor is increasingly becoming a functioning trade route rather than a theoretical concept.

He said container volumes have risen significantly in recent years, supported by infrastructure projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.

“It is a moving cargo today,” he said. “Volumes grew by over 60%, container traffic increased by 36%.”

“What makes the Middle Corridor special is that it is not only a transit route,” he added, noting that improved reliability is becoming a key factor for both European and Asian investors.

He also said the Organisation of Turkic States expects cargo volumes along the corridor to reach 10 million tonnes in the near future, adding that Azerbaijan is positioned as a central link rather than a peripheral transit point.

'Diversification is happening'

On Azerbaijan’s economic diversification strategy, Taghizade said the country is actively moving beyond its traditional reliance on hydrocarbons, with renewable energy and industrial development emerging as major priorities.

“Diversification is not just a slogan in Azerbaijan. It is happening,” he said.

He pointed to renewable energy targets for 2030 and the development of industrial zones designed to support manufacturing and logistics along key trade routes.

Taghizade also highlighted incentives offered to investors in designated economic zones, including streamlined customs procedures and tax advantages.

“What sets Azerbaijan apart is stability and execution,” he said, adding that investors place significant value on predictable political conditions and established infrastructure.

He cited large-scale projects such as the Southern Gas Corridor and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway as examples of Azerbaijan’s record in delivering major infrastructure projects on time.

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As the investment forum approaches, Azerbaijani officials appear keen to reinforce the country’s role not only as a participant in global markets, but also as an active architect of regional economic flows.

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Azerbaijan International Investment Forum Azerbaijan Baku Regional Connectivity