The Republic of Azerbaijan took over the Chairmanship-in-Office of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) from January 1 to June 30, 2025. During its Chairmanship, Azerbaijan will prioritize strengthening the Organization by effectively implementing the BSEC Charter; the updated BSEC Economic Agenda: Towards a Sustainable Future of the Wider Black Sea Area; the Istanbul Summit Declaration adopted at the 25th Anniversary Summit; and the resolutions, decisions, and recommendations of the BSEC Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
Improving the Efficiency of the Organization
Azerbaijan will focus on the following key priorities to enhance BSEC’s effectiveness:
- Facilitating Trade and Transport
- Intensify efforts to streamline border-crossing procedures, expedite trade operations, and increase trade flows within the BSEC region. Azerbaijan will also promote discussions on digitalizing international trade and transport processes.
- Support the endorsement of the Regional Trade Facilitation Strategy for the BSEC Region and the Framework for Single-Window Cooperation.
- Promoting Coordination and Cooperation
- Foster closer collaboration among BSEC, its Related Bodies, Observers, and Sectoral Dialogue Partners aimed at aligning efforts in trade, transport, and sustainable development.
- Strengthen partnerships with regional and international organizations in line with BSEC’s core objectives and priority areas.
- Strengthening ties with UN Institutions
- Deepen collaboration with UN agencies, focusing on climate action, trade facilitation, governance, and institutional reforms. Azerbaijan will work with specialized UN bodies to implement practical projects in support of BSEC’s priorities.
Sectoral Priorities
Motto: Strengthening Connectivity, Driving Growth: Transport at the Core of BSEC’s Future
Connectivity
Azerbaijan will prioritize advancing efficient, reliable, and safe transit and transportation services. It will emphasize strengthening the competitiveness of transport corridors and expanding multimodal transport—leveraging railways, highways, and seaports to enhance freight capacity and ensure seamless border crossings.
The Chairmanship will guide the work of BSEC Working Groups on Transport and Customs Matters, the Steering Committees for the Black Sea Ring Highway and the Facilitation of Road Transport of Goods, and the Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Development of the Motorways of the Sea. Special attention will be given to advancing initiatives such as the “Motorways of the Sea” and the “Black Sea Ring Highway,” fully utilizing the capacity of railways, seaports, and highways to stimulate trade within and beyond the region.
Azerbaijan will also support the implementation of joint declarations, resolutions, and recommendations adopted by the BSEC Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Ministers of Transport. To further foster synergy, the Chairmanship will propose a special joint meeting of the Working Groups on Trade and Economic Development, Customs Matters, and Transport, focusing on simplifying trade procedures, standardizing documentation, and enhancing electronic document exchange, trade portals, and single-window mechanisms.
Good Governance
The Chairmanship-in-Office will continue advancing transparency, accountability, and innovation in governance through regional cooperation. Building on the achievements of the Working Group on Institutional Renewal and Good Governance—and with Azerbaijan as Country Coordinator—efforts will center on the exchange of best practices and the integration of social innovations into public service design.
These actions will support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with particular emphasis on SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Aligned with Goal 15 of the updated BSEC Economic Agenda—Good Governance and the Rule of Law—the Working Group has created valuable opportunities for dialogue on governance reforms. Building on this momentum, the Chairmanship aims to maintain a results-oriented environment consistent with previous ministerial-level discussions.
In addition to webinars and workshops, the Chairmanship plans to convene a High-Level Forum of the relevant governmental organizations of BSEC Member States. This high-level forum will address current challenges, share best practices, and identify new pathways for strengthening governance and public administration.
Environment and Climate Action
Following the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), hosted in Baku from November 11–23, 2024. Azerbaijan will lead efforts to address environmental challenges and climate change within the BSEC region. The Chairmanship will prioritize cooperation on environmental protection and climate action, guided by the BSEC Working Group on Environmental Protection and building on Azerbaijan’s COP29 priorities, including the Baku Climate Unity Pact (Baku Pact) and COP29 Presidency Initiatives.
Azerbaijan will also encourage active knowledge sharing within the Working Group on pressing environmental issues—marine ecosystem preservation, sustainable management of natural resources, and mitigating environmental degradation.
Azerbaijan will further support BSEC initiatives aimed at reducing single-use plastics, implementing sustainable waste management strategies, preventing overexploitation of resources, and combating illegal activities. Special attention will be given to promoting green, resilient, and low-carbon growth, improving air quality legislation, and expanding protected areas, all contributing to a more sustainable and climate-resilient BSEC region.