Representatives from the railway administrations of Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan convened to formalize an agreement aimed at further developing the Central Asia–South Caucasus–Anatolia Plus (CASCA+) railway corridor. This pivotal transport route, connecting Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Türkiye, serves as a crucial alternative linkage between Asian and European markets.
During the meeting, the participating nations reviewed the CASCA+ transport corridor’s performance throughout 2025 and into the first quarter of 2026. The focus was on identifying and addressing operational bottlenecks, with the ultimate goal of increasing freight volumes and enhancing the overall efficiency of transit operations. Discussions also included developing a more competitive tariff policy and increasing the route’s attractiveness to international cargo operators. The CASCA+ initiative, established in 2019, has emerged as a key platform for railway cooperation across one of Eurasia’s most significant developing transport routes.
The CASCA+ transport corridor facilitates the movement of goods from Central Asian producers to markets in the Caucasus, Türkiye, and Europe, integrating both rail and maritime infrastructure. Its growing importance is underscored by the increasing efforts of governments and businesses worldwide to establish alternative trade routes that can reduce transit times and diversify global supply chains. Reports indicate a substantial increase in freight volumes transported by Uzbekistan via the corridor since its inception, reflecting a rising demand for robust regional connectivity and cross-border trade.
The recent discussions among participating countries were dedicated to implementing practical strategies to improve the performance of the CASCA+ transport corridor. Key areas of focus included the reduction of administrative barriers, acceleration of delivery times, enhanced coordination among railway operators, and the development of more competitive transport tariffs. The parties also explored avenues for advancing digitalization across the entire route.
Previous proposals within the CASCA+ framework have encompassed the deployment of online tracking systems for wagons and containers, alongside the expanded utilization of refrigerated transport solutions, particularly for agricultural exports. Experts highlight that improved transport connectivity is becoming increasingly vital for Central Asian economies, many of which are landlocked and rely heavily on efficient transit routes to access international markets. The newly ratified protocol represents a concrete step in the ongoing efforts by these participating nations to foster stronger economic ties and stimulate trade flows across Eurasia.
