By Sadig Javadov
Copyright trend
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 26. On 26 September
2025, Tokyo hosted the 12th Joint Meeting of the State Commission
for Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of
Azerbaijan and the Japan-Azerbaijan Economic Committee.
The event gathered representatives from various government
institutions and private sector organizations of both
The meeting opened with a bilateral discussion between Co-Chairs
of the Joint Meeting, namely, Rovshan Najaf, President of SOCAR and
the Chairman of the State Commission for Economic Cooperation
between Japan and the Republic of Azerbaijan , and Tetsuya Yamada,
Chairman of the Japan–Azerbaijan Economic Committee, and Executive
Officer of ITOCHU Corporation.
They reviewed current cooperation and explored new opportunities
for partnership.
The 12th Joint Meeting of the State Commission on Economic
Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Japan and the meeting of the
Azerbaijan–Japan Economic Committee followed.
At the meeting, parties marked the 33rd anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Japan,
noting the steady development of bilateral ties across various
fields on the basis of mutual understanding and respect. They
highlighted the strong partnership that has formed between the two
countries in economic, social, and humanitarian areas.
Speakers underlined the progress made in increasing trade
turnover over the past years and emphasized Japan’s role as a key
partner for Azerbaijan in the energy sector and one of the
country’s largest foreign investors. They also drew attention to
the favorable investment climate that Azerbaijan has created for
foreign companies, pointing out wide opportunities for cooperation
in manufacturing, agriculture, transport, energy, infrastructure,
communications, and high technologies.
The discussions placed particular emphasis on Azerbaijan’s
growing role as a transit hub in developing the Middle Corridor.
Participants stressed that Azerbaijan serves as a reliable bridge
between East and West and North and South, contributing to regional
connectivity through the Baku International Sea Trade Port, modern
railway lines, international airports, and upgraded road
infrastructure.
The meeting discussed Azerbaijan’s large-scale restoration and
reconstruction projects in the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic
regions. The Azerbaijan side emphasized that the liberated
territories, with their rich natural resources, green energy
potential, developing infrastructure, and attractive state
incentives, offer promising prospects for foreign investors. They
invited Japanese companies to explore the extensive investment
opportunities available in Karabakh and East Zangezur.”
Cooperation in the energy sector received special attention,
with ITOCHU and INPEX recognized as key partners in the
Azeri–Chirag–Gunashli and Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan projects.
Participants also discussed progress in Azerbaijan’s renewable
energy sector and emphasized growing collaboration with Japanese
companies in energy transition and decarbonization.
The sides recalled Azerbaijan’s successful hosting of COP29 last
year, one of the world’s most prestigious international events, and
expressed appreciation for Japan’s support for the conference.
They further explored opportunities for Japanese companies to
contribute to Azerbaijan’s digital transformation by applying
innovative solutions and advanced technologies across the
Notably, Azerbaijan’s participation with a national pavilion at
Osaka EXPO, along with cultural and economic exchanges, would give
fresh momentum to bilateral relations.
Subsequently, relevant institutions from Azerbaijan and Japan
delivered presentations. They highlighted Azerbaijan’s favorable
investment environment, the activities of the Azerbaijan Investment
Holding and the Azerbaijan Transport and Communication Holding, the
operational directions of SOCAR Green, the cooperation between
SOCAR and Japanese companies in Upstream operations, and the
projects TEPSCO has implemented in Azerbaijan.
The meeting concluded with SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf and
Tetsuya Yamada signing the Protocol of the 12th Joint Meeting of
the State Commission on Economic Cooperation between Japan and the
Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Japan–Azerbaijan Economic
On the sidelines, the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion
Agency (AZPROMO) and the Japan Business Association ROTOBO signed a
Memorandum of Cooperation. The National Confederation of
Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of the Republic of
Azerbaijan also signed Memoranda of Cooperation with ROTOBO and
Tairiku Trading.
