Middle Corridor
The Middle Transport Corridor, traversing Central Asia, is a vital trade route connecting Europe and Asia, offering a potentially faster and more efficient alternative to traditional maritime and northern land routes. Stretching from China through Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and the Southern Caucasus―Azerbaijan and Georgia―to Türkiye and beyond, this corridor enhances regional connectivity, reduces transit times, and fosters economic integration. By improving infrastructure, streamlining customs procedures, and promoting digitalization, the corridor has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for landlocked Central Asian countries, boosting trade, investment, and job creation. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan connect to the Middle Transport Corridor, which could offer better connectivity and trade faciliatation. The spillover effects could also reach Afghanistan, contribution to reducton of vulnerability hotspots in Central Asia
Beyond infrastructure, the Middle Corridor can drive sustainable development by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals. The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme play a crucial role in ensuring that development along the corridor goes beyond physical connectivity. Through initiatives like trade facilitation, green logistics, and capacity-building for small and medium enterprises SMEs, European Union and UNDP support Central Asian countries in maximizing the corridor’s socioeconomic benefits while promoting climate resilience and gender equality. The EU’s Global Gateway strategy complements these efforts by fostering sustainable investments and regional cooperation.
By leveraging partnerships and innovative solutions, the Middle Transport Corridor can become a model for inclusive and sustainable development in Central Asia.