On 8 October 2026, the eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan took place in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan.

The meeting was attended by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, addressed the meeting. In his speech, he highlighted the relevance of the consultative format and its importance for addressing pressing regional issues.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasised that the consultative meetings of Heads of State of Central Asia have become not only a platform for regional political dialogue, but also a factor of international significance.

Turkmenistan has consistently advocated the development of systematic and balanced regional cooperation. In this regard, the country had previously proposed holding a meeting in ‘Awaza’ as part of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

It was during this meeting that Turkmenistan put forward the initiative for Azerbaijan to join the consultative format as a full member.

At the current meeting, the Heads of State discussed the further development of political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as the practical implementation of joint initiatives.

Following the meeting, a Decision ‘On the Regulatory Documents of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan’ and a Joint Statement on the Outcome of the Eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan were adopted.