In today’s fractured geopolitical landscape, where supply chains face constant disruption and global commerce is increasingly vulnerable to political shocks, geography has reasserted itself as destiny. Nowhere is this more evident than in the rise of the Middle Corridor, a strategic transit route stretching from China through Central Asia, across the Caspian Sea, through the South Caucasus, and onward to Europe. Once considered a secondary pathway, the Middle Corridor is rapidly becoming the essential artery of Eurasian trade.

This development is not accidental. The route offers both efficiency and security, addressing the shortcomings of traditional pathways. The northern corridor through Russia has been burdened by sanctions and instability, while maritime routes via the Suez Canal have shown their fragility, whether through congestion, conflict, or piracy. In contrast, the Middle Corridor represents the shortest, most balanced, and increasingly reliable alternative.

At the heart of this corridor lies Azerbaijan, a country that has transformed its geography into a strategic asset. Perched between Asia and Europe, Azerbaijan is uniquely positioned to connect continents and markets. The country has not only embraced this role but has invested heavily in ensuring that it becomes indispensable to global commerce.

As Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in his address to the participants of the 6th Caspian Business Forum: “Connectivity, Finance, and Energy along the Middle Corridor”: “The Middle........

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