Azerbaijan
Why the Baku-Supsa pipeline is back at the center of the energy game
The transfer of operational functions of the Western Route Export Pipeline, better known as the Baku-Supsa pipeline, to the state authorities of Azerbaijan and Georgia may at first glance look like a purely technical development.
Azerbaijan launches $3bn agricultural transformation programme targeting 33.8% export growth by 2030
Azerbaijan is overhauling its agriculture sector with reforms targeting higher-value output, expanded irrigation and improved land use.
Azerbaijani fintechs catching up with banks, says industry head
Regulatory environment being shaped by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan is laying the groundwork for competitive disruption.
Azerbaijan's big gas push
Azerbaijan used Baku Energy Week to push new gas exports, upstream investment, and a larger US role in its energy sector.
Asia needs Azerbaijan as Hormuz risks grow
The escalating crisis in the Middle East and severe disruptions to energy transportation through the Strait of Hormuz have once again demonstrated how vulnerable the global oil and gas market remains to instability.
Absheron project may reshape Azerbaijan’s gas export strategy
SOCAR, TotalEnergies, XRG and BOTAŞ signed an agreement in Baku on 1 June on long-term gas supplies from the Absheron gas-condensate field to Turkey. The deal covers the supply of a total of 33bn cubic metres of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Turkey
Russia eyes Azerbaijan to plug food import gap as Moscow-Yerevan ties fray
Moscow has significantly expanded phytosanitary and veterinary restrictions on Armenian produce since early spring.
Middle East conflict and energy shock slow growth across EBRD regions
Bank warns higher energy costs are reigniting inflation, weakening industrial competitiveness and straining already fragile public finances
Azerbaijan's non-oil exports reach $1.1bn in four months as gold surges
Exports of gold, petrochemicals and satellite services posted gains while two SOCAR trading divisions recorded steep declines.
Azerbaijan positions itself as dual-track energy hub amid global supply uncertainty
Azerbaijan is accelerating both fossil fuel and renewable energy development as it seeks to entrench its role as a reliable supplier to Europe and emerging markets, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov told the 31st Baku Energy Forum.
Rubio backs Trans-Caspian gas pipeline proposal in meeting with Turkmenistan’s top diplomat
Infrastructure could boost European energy security, though Russia could move to block it.
The return of the Silk Road as the “C6”, a key geopolitical link between Europe and Asia
There is a map that used to hang in the offices of Soviet central planners in Moscow, showing the five republics of Central Asia as a single administrative unit with all roads pointing to Moscow. Today the arrows point in all directions at once.
Energy, transit and geopolitics reshape ties between EU and Azerbaijan
The European Union and Azerbaijan are rebuilding relations after years of strain, says a Carnegie Politika analysis.
Georgia and Azerbaijan sign energy and transit deals at Aliyev-Kobakhidze summit
Deals cover natural gas supply, electricity imports and transit, the revival of the Baku-Tbilisi-Supsa oil pipeline, and rehabilitation work on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.
Azerbaijan's graduate glut
Most of the new jobs created in Azerbaijan are in construction, but over 50% of the new graduate workforce is humanities-trained.
Kazakhstan rejects idea of Turkic states military alliance
Tokayev reins in any such ambitions at OTS summit attended by Turkey’s Erdogan. At same time, wants to turn Kazakh armed forces into “high-tech fist”.
Central Asia lagging in AI diffusion – report
Adoption rates, however, are among highest in Asia.
Azerbaijan's central bank cuts 2026 GDP growth forecast to 1.1%
Growth downgrade reflects impact of elevated global geopolitical tensions on trade and supply chains, even as commodity export revenues benefit from higher prices.
New report documents how Central Asian states abet Russian sanctions-busting
Georgia is Russia’s primary route in Caucasus.
COMMENT: How Trump lost Europe in Armenia
Forty-eight European heads of state met in Yerevan on May 4 with no American present. The Yerevan EPC was the moment Europe stopped trying to prevent the transatlantic rupture and started managing it.