Kobakhidze Opens Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, Hosts Armenian and Azerbaijani Leaders
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze opened the two-day Tbilisi Silk Road Forum on Wednesday under the theme "Invest in Connectivity - Grow in Stability." The biennial event, first held in 2015, brings together senior officials, business leaders, and representatives of international organizations to discuss trade, the Middle Corridor, energy cooperation, and digital transformation.
In his opening speech, Kobakhidze said the forum had evolved from a dialogue platform into "an effective instrument for regional and global cooperation, where ideas are transformed into real projects." Welcoming Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov, he said their presence showed that the South Caucasus countries "share a common vision to turn our region into a space of peace, stability, and economic opportunity."
Kobakhidze said it was symbolic that the forum takes place in Georgia, a country that "has historically been, and continues to be, a bridge connecting the civilizations of East and West." He said the forum's main theme reflects Georgia's state policy and that the government's efforts are aimed at ensuring "peace, stability and predictability," which he called the most valuable assets the country can offer investors.
He pointed to Georgia's free trade agreements with the European Union, China, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and other partners, as well as large-scale projects such as the Black Sea Submarine Cable that will connect the region's renewable energy to Europe. According to Kobakhidze, such initiatives show Georgia's growing role as a transport and energy link between continents.
Kobakhidze also spoke about new forms of connectivity, such as energy corridors, digital networks, and the free movement of capital. He welcomed the first-ever Tbilisi Financial Summit, held alongside the forum in partnership with Singapore, describing it as a step toward making the capital a regional center for financial and technological innovation.
He said that several important initiatives had started at previous Silk Road Forums, including the 2023 agreement between Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan to create a joint railway company. He added that the Asian Development Bank's three-billion-dollar portfolio in Georgia is another example of the forum's success.
"I am convinced that these two days will mark the beginning of new ideas, strengthened partnerships, and shared success," Kobakhidze said in closing.
On the sidelines of the forum, Kobakhidze met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to discuss trade, infrastructure, culture, and regional cooperation. "I am confident that this meeting will further strengthen cooperation between Georgia and Armenia," Kobakhidze wrote on X. Pashinyan called the meeting "productive" and praised the "active political dialogue and friendship" between the two neighbors.
Kobakhidze also met with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov. "We reaffirmed our strategic partnership grounded in shared values and mutual respect," he said. The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in energy, transport, and economic connectivity, as well as their joint commitment to peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
