Standfirst: Baku has combined its Formula 1 weekend with a major security forum and the Azerbaijan International Investment Forum, drawing international visitors, investors and officials to the Azerbaijani capital. New agreements covering technology, renewable energy, manufacturing and transport are reinforcing the city’s role as a regional business and connectivity hub.
Baku has staged one of its busiest international weeks of 2026, bringing together motorsport, diplomacy, security and investment in a tightly packed programme. The Azerbaijan International Investment Forum, the Baku Security Forum and the 10th anniversary of the city’s Formula 1 Grand Prix have placed Azerbaijan at the centre of regional economic and political attention.
The activity has created a significant concentration of international visitors and corporate delegations. It has also given Azerbaijan an opportunity to present itself not only as an energy producer, but as a potential gateway between Asia and Europe for trade, logistics, technology and investment.
Azerbaijan investment forum focuses on diversification
The second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum opened at the Baku Convention Centre on 25 September. The two-day event was designed to promote long-term investment partnerships and strengthen the South Caucasus’s role in regional connectivity.
A central theme was economic diversification. Azerbaijan continues to draw investment in traditional energy, while also highlighting opportunities in renewable power, digital services, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.
During the forum, the Ministry of Economy announced cooperation with Vietnam’s ROX Group in construction and development, as well as a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft concerning the national digital economy. The Ministry of Energy also worked with energy companies linked to ROX Group to assess large-scale solar and wind projects.
Other agreements and proposed partnerships included:
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing with Slovakia’s Saneca Pharmaceuticals.
- Veterinary vaccine production with Turkey’s VETAL.
- A poultry project in Aghdam involving the Czech Republic’s AGROFERT and Azerbaijan’s Agro Dairy.
- A proposed Azerbaijan-Oman Direct Investment Fund involving Azerbaijan Investment Holding and the Oman Investment Authority.
- Assessment of local water-meter manufacturing by SOCAR, the Azerbaijan State Water Reserves Agency and UAE-based Esyasoft Technologies.
The agreements build on the first investment forum, held in September 2025, where investment commitments worth more than $10 billion were announced. More than $7 billion of those commitments were directed towards non-oil activities, according to the source material.
The Middle Corridor strengthens Baku’s regional appeal
Transport connectivity was another major focus of the forum. Azerbaijan is promoting the Middle Corridor, a trade route linking China and Central Asia with Europe through the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus, as an alternative route for goods moving between East and West.
The World Bank has estimated that trade flows along the route could potentially triple by 2030 if infrastructure investment and operational efficiency improve. Journey times could also be significantly reduced.
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, said bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan had reached almost $1 billion, with both countries aiming to double that figure. He also said shipments through Azerbaijan had more than doubled over the previous three years.
The two countries are establishing a joint transport and logistics venture focused on new ferries and infrastructure connected to the Nakhchivan and Zangezur corridors. The initiative reflects the wider effort to make the region more attractive to exporters, importers and logistics companies.
Energy and technology links
Investment discussions also extended beyond transport. Representatives from Montenegro highlighted Azerbaijan’s existing investments on the Montenegrin coast and the importance of energy connections linking the Western Balkans with Italy and the wider European market.
Artificial intelligence was another prominent subject. Kai-Fu Lee, chief executive of ZeroOne.ai, said the company intended to establish operations in Azerbaijan and help develop local AI engineers and entrepreneurs. His comments underline Azerbaijan’s attempt to attract technology companies alongside more established energy and infrastructure investors.
Formula 1 adds tourism and international visibility
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has become a major part of Baku’s international profile. The 2026 race marks the 10th anniversary of Azerbaijan hosting Formula 1, bringing visitors, hospitality activity and commercial events to the city.
This year’s racing schedule was moved to Thursday through Saturday because Remembrance Day observances were due to take place on Sunday, 27 September. The compressed programme has required hotels, transport operators, venues and other service providers to manage a concentrated flow of visitors.
For Azerbaijan, Formula 1 offers more than a sporting spectacle. It provides a global platform for promoting Baku as a modern city and for connecting tourism with business diplomacy. International executives attending the race can also participate in the investment forum and other events taking place during the same week.
Security forum brings officials from more than 100 countries
At the start of the week, Azerbaijan’s State Security Service hosted the fourth Baku Security Forum. Nearly 600 senior representatives and officials from special services in more than 100 countries attended discussions on transboundary infrastructure protection and changes in the global security environment.
The forum added a security dimension to a week otherwise dominated by investment and sport. Protecting transport links, energy infrastructure and digital systems has become increasingly important as cross-border trade and technology networks expand.
The timing also highlights Baku’s effort to use large international gatherings to bring together economic, security and diplomatic communities. The city’s event programme will continue with the sixth Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition, or ADEX, scheduled to open at the Baku Expo Centre on 30 September.
Why the week matters for Europe and the region
The events do not represent a single European Union decision or EU legislative measure. Their significance lies in Azerbaijan’s broader regional role and in the connections between Central Asia, the South Caucasus and European markets.
Investors are increasingly assessing alternative supply chains, energy links and transport routes. Azerbaijan’s position on the Caspian Sea gives it a potential role in these networks, although the success of the Middle Corridor will depend on continued infrastructure investment, border coordination and reliable logistics.
For European companies, the developments may be relevant in sectors including:
- Renewable energy and electricity infrastructure.
- Logistics, ports, ferries and rail transport.
- Digital services and artificial intelligence.
- Pharmaceuticals and medical manufacturing.
- Agriculture and food production.
- Water management and smart-meter technology.
The scale of the week also demonstrates how major sporting events can support a country’s investment and tourism strategy. By scheduling Formula 1 alongside business and security gatherings, Baku has created a concentrated showcase for its infrastructure, hospitality sector and international partnerships.
What happens next?
The investment forum and Grand Prix will be followed by ADEX, which is expected to bring further international defence and technology delegations to Baku. Discussions are expected to focus on unmanned systems and electronic warfare, extending the city’s programme of high-level events into October.
The next test for Azerbaijan will be turning announcements, memoranda and term sheets into completed projects. That process will require detailed agreements, financing, regulatory approvals and implementation. The investment forum has created momentum, but the long-term economic impact will depend on whether the proposed partnerships produce lasting activity beyond the event calendar.
Baku’s week of Formula 1, security talks and investment diplomacy shows how Azerbaijan is positioning itself as a meeting point between Europe and Asia. The clearest takeaway is that the country’s economic strategy now reaches beyond oil, with transport connectivity, renewable energy and digital technology becoming central parts of its international pitch.
