On July 31, 2026, an informal consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and Azerbaijan was held at Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. During the event, the presidents signed the Cholpon-Ata Declaration.

At the meeting, the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, stated that historic agreements regarding borders had been reached in recent years, contributing to strengthened mutual trust and elevating regional cooperation to a new qualitative level.

Meanwhile, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, proposed the construction of a major oil refinery in Central Asia.

In his address, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, remarked that Azerbaijan’s inclusion in the consultative meetings would elevate regional interaction to a macro-regional level. He added that a historic opportunity exists to create a unified development space linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Afghanistan.

Since 2018, the consultative council had been limited to the participation of Central Asian heads of state; however, Azerbaijan began participating as a guest of honor in 2023 and attained full membership status in 2025.

The meeting of Central Asian and Azerbaijani leaders coincided with escalating tensions in the Middle East and an increase in Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries. These conflicts drove up global oil prices, including within the region. The crisis also heightened the importance of corridors connecting Central Asia to other regions. For instance, operations at the oil pipeline traversing the Black Sea have been significantly disrupted by drone attacks. Given that approximately 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports pass through the Black Sea, the country is compelled to bolster the “Middle Corridor.” Naturally, such a move steers the region away from Russia and strengthens ties with Azerbaijan.

It is also worth noting a major project between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan that had previously stalled. An agreement was once reached to establish a joint plant in Kyrgyzstan—in partnership with Azerbaijan’s state-owned SOCAR—capable of producing two million tons of fuel annually. However, the project was halted due to Russian pressure aimed at maintaining its monopoly over the country's strategic sector. During Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent official visit to Kyrgyzstan, efforts to revive this project were evident.

Thus, the meeting between Central Asian leaders and Azerbaijan is, at its core, an initiative that draws the region away from Russia. It would be accurate to say that this council lends additional momentum to the Organization of Turkic States. In other words, it represents part of the diversification efforts led by the United States to channel the region's wealth toward areas under its own influence.

In summary, major powers are keen to control strategic routes in the region to secure access to Central Asia’s wealth. Through mechanisms such as the C5+US summit, the Organization of Turkic States, and the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Council, the United States seeks to diminish Russian and Chinese influence in the region and bring Central Asia into its own orbit. Although U.S. efforts to steer the region away from Russia are progressing, Russian influence remains entrenched among significant segments of the Central Asian elites and governing apparatuses. Furthermore, the Russian language continues to serve as the primary medium of communication, alongside dependencies regarding migration and defense cooperation. However, Russia’s influence within the energy sectors of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is gradually waning.

Meanwhile, China is actively bolstering its economic and infrastructural influence; it is steadily increasing trade interdependence, expanding lending activities, and advancing its presence in the transport and energy sectors.

Consequently, competition among colonialist powers for influence in Central Asia is expected to intensify in the future. The region’s strategic importance will grow ever greater, particularly amidst the escalating struggle for resources. Therefore, we—as Muslims—must not allow the region’s strategic locations and mineral wealth to become an arena for the machinations of these powers. On the contrary, in accordance with Allah’s command, we must unify and strive to establish the Second Khilafah Rashidah (rightly-guided Caliphate) on the Method of the Prophethood—the shield of the Muslims. This is essential to prevent colonialist disbelievers from extending their influence over our lands, dominating us, controlling our will and resources, and plundering our wealth and assets.