19.10.2026, 01:19
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran Discuss Transport Corridor Development
Negotiations focused primarily on route coordination, establishing a freight base, and attracting international investors
Representatives of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran held talks on the further development of the Trans-Afghan Transport Corridor and the implementation of joint infrastructure initiatives during the international business forum "NEW SILK WAY."
The meeting was attended by Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport, Nurlan Sauranbayev; Director General of the Afghanistan Railway Authority, Abdul Karim Fateh; Director of the Center for Transport and Logistics Studies under Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport, Bekzod Kholmatov; Federal Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Communications, Ali Sher Mehsud; and Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh.
The central topic of discussion was the implementation of the Central Asia–South Asia (CASA) railway corridor construction project. The corridor is intended to develop transport connections between countries in Central, South and West Asia, expand freight transportation routes, and provide additional opportunities for access to international markets and seaports.
Participants reviewed the progress of project preparations and the main issues related to its practical implementation. In particular, discussions covered coordination of the future railway route, development of transport infrastructure, and establishment of a freight base to support transportation operations.
The project's financial aspects were addressed separately. The parties considered possible financing mechanisms, opportunities to attract investors and international financial institutions, and ways to strengthen cooperation between Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport, Nurlan Sauranbayev, noted that the meeting participants had reaffirmed their shared interest in the further development of the Trans-Afghan Transport Corridor and the implementation of the CASA railway project.
According to the minister, an important priority is to move from discussing the initiative to taking concrete practical steps. Implementation of the project will create an additional transport connection between the regions, increase transit capacity, expand freight transportation opportunities, and strengthen trade and economic cooperation among the countries concerned.
