Silk Road Forum in Tbilisi to Shape Eurasian Trade Future

Tbilisi is set to host the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum on October 22–23, 2025, bringing together over 2,000 delegates including political leaders, business representatives, and international stakeholders from more than 60 countries. This prestigious event highlights Georgia’s growing role as a critical transit hub linking Asia and Europe via the Middle Corridor and underscores the country’s strategic significance in Eurasian trade, transport, and economic collaboration.

Forum Theme and Objectives

The forum, themed “Invest in Connectivity – Grow in Stability,” aims to foster enhanced cooperation on regional infrastructure projects, energy diversification, digital economy initiatives, tourism sustainability, and investment opportunities. It follows previous editions in 2015, 2017, and 2019, with this latest iteration marking a significant expansion in scope and participation.

Georgia’s Strategic Role

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili welcomed the participants and emphasized the country’s geostrategic importance. He stated, “Georgia with its geostrategic location has always played a pivotal role in the development of the Silk Road… In light of current geopolitical developments, Georgia’s historic role as a regional actor and a connector of the East with the West has become even more important and so has our government’s commitment to develop our country into a regional hub, bringing more prosperity to our citizens and contributing to global growth.”

High-Level Participation and Agenda

The forum’s program includes high-profile opening remarks from regional leaders such as Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov. The agenda spans multiple panels and discussions addressing the future architecture of East-West trade, leveraging digital connectivity for economic growth, and diversifying energy partnerships in the region.

Focus on the Middle Corridor

Significant focus will be placed on the Middle Corridor — the transport route connecting China with Europe through the Caucasus — which has witnessed steady growth in freight volumes and infrastructure investment. Georgia aims to capitalize on this momentum by promoting projects like the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, the modernization of its railway network, and improved customs and logistics services to strengthen transit efficiency.

Sustainable Tourism and Economic Cooperation

The forum will also feature sessions on sustainable tourism development, aligning with Georgia’s efforts to balance increased visitor numbers with environmental protection and local community benefits.

Strengthening Georgia-China Ties

Beyond economic themes, the forum symbolizes deepening cooperation between Georgia and China, especially after the July 2025 signing of a Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership between the two countries. This multilateral agreement commits to strengthening cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people domains.

Business and Investment Opportunities

Business leaders attending the forum will have numerous networking and investment opportunities. The event aims to serve as a catalyst for new joint ventures, cross-border trade facilitation, and innovative projects within the framework of the broader Belt and Road Initiative.

Importance for Regional Stability and Growth

Industry representatives echoed the importance of the forum’s role in fostering resilience and growth amidst global economic uncertainties. One panelist noted, “The Tbilisi Silk Road Forum not only underscores Georgia’s increased prominence as a critical transit hub but also opens doors for collaborative approaches to regional challenges in trade, energy, and infrastructure.”

Conclusion: Georgia’s Eurasian Hub Ambition

As the Middle Corridor develops further, Georgia expects increasing direct foreign investments, more efficient cargo flows, and enhanced digital trade connectivity, all vital for the country’s economic future. The event will culminate with an Investment Forum on the second day, designed to facilitate deeper connections between companies seeking to partner on infrastructure, energy projects, and digital economy ventures.

Overall, the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum stands as a strategic initiative reinforcing Georgia’s position on the Eurasian map as a nexus of commerce, innovation, and diplomacy.