Innovations and trends: Azerbaijan's international exhibitions

Caspian Event Organisers and Iteca Caspian will launch the international exhibition season in May. This year, a total of 13 events are planned to be held with the support of the relevant state institutions and structures of Azerbaijan.

The spring exhibitions included in the exhibition calendar will mark a significant milestone in 2025, as several events that have already become national brands will celebrate their anniversaries. InterFood Azerbaijan, the region’s largest specialised food industry exhibition, will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Another event marking its 30th anniversary is Baku Energy Week, a major occasion in Azerbaijan’s energy sector.

The significance of these exhibitions for the country is underlined by the visits of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to these events. All exhibitions are held with the support of the relevant state institutions and structures.

Caspian Agro and InterFood Azerbaijan

The 2025 spring exhibition season will commence with the 18th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition – Caspian Agro and the 30th Anniversary Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition – InterFood Azerbaijan, the region’s largest international agricultural and food industry events, taking place from May 13 to 16.

For many years, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has visited the Caspian Agro and InterFood Azerbaijan exhibitions, exploring the exhibition pavilions and engaging with participants at the Baku Expo Center. In 2024, President Ilham Aliyev was accompanied by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, during his visit to these events.

The Caspian Agro exhibition is organised with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Additionally, the exhibitions receive active support from the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AQTA), the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan – AZPROMO, The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organisations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASK), Azerbaijan Food and Beverage Industrialists Association (AFBIA), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and Azerbaijan Exhibition Organisers Association (ASTA).

The 2024 edition of Caspian Agro and InterFood Azerbaijan marked a record-breaking success, covering all four halls and the outdoor area of the Baku Expo Center. Nearly 13,000 visitors and 500 companies from 38 countries participated. Compared to previous years, a 10% increase in the scale of the exhibitions has been observed.

Most of the available spaces at the Baku Expo Center have already been occupied by exhibitors representing various countries this year, as well. As a result, only a limited number of spots remain for participation in the exhibitions.

For the upcoming edition, companies from Azerbaijan, Belgium, Belarus, China, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Palestine, Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, the United States and Uzbekistan have already confirmed their participation. National pavilions from Belarus, Germany, Georgia, Italy, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and, for the first time, India and Egypt, will showcase agricultural and food industry products. Prior Leasing ASC will serve as the registration sponsor for this exhibition.

Caspian Agro is the largest agricultural exhibition in the region. The agro-industrial sector is a rapidly developing field with significant prospects. Caspian Agro will once again bring together leading participants in the agricultural industry, local and international experts, as well as thousands of professional visitors, including importers, exporters, distributors of agricultural products, wholesale and retail trade representatives, and farmers.

During the exhibition days, the International Agricultural Innovations Forum will be held under the organization of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The forum will address key topics related to the agricultural sector. Now in its second consecutive year, the forum will feature discussions on the development of sustainable agriculture, international cooperation, innovative solutions in agriculture, and other relevant topics.

Each year, the organisers arrange exhibition tours for farmers from various regions of Azerbaijan. This year, as part of the exhibitions, farmers will once again have the opportunity to explore the latest industry innovations and international expertise. As a result of these exhibition tours, knowledge exchange is encouraged, which in turn contributes to improving production quality and enhancing living conditions in rural areas.

Starting from 2025, Caspian Event Organisers and Iteca Caspian, the organisers of international exhibitions in Azerbaijan, are expanding their cooperation with the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan in a new direction. This initiative aims to facilitate the participation of SMEs from various regions in international exhibitions held in Baku. With the support of KOBİA, tours will be organised to enable SMEs from different regions of the country to take part in all exhibitions. This initiative will contribute to the development of SMEs, their integration into the broader business community, the establishment of new partnerships, familiarisation with industry innovations, and the adoption of new technologies.

The Caspian Agro exhibition will be held at the same venue – Baku Expo Centre – alongside with InterFood Azerbaijan. As one of the leading international events in the food industry, InterFood Azerbaijan will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025. For many years, this exhibition has served as a key platform bringing together local and international food industry manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and leading sector players.

Each year, dozens of food industry manufacturers from various countries around the world participate in the InterFood Azerbaijan exhibition, showcasing their products and technologies. The exhibition is not only a platform for presenting food and beverages but also an important venue for introducing the latest technological innovations in the industry. It provides an opportunity to explore the newest trends in areas such as food processing technologies, packaging solutions, healthy nutrition, and eco-friendly products.

Azerbaijan's food industry is developing rapidly, and InterFood Azerbaijan plays a crucial role in this process. Through the exhibition, local manufacturers gain access to international markets, while foreign companies show greater interest in investing in the Azerbaijani market. This, in turn, contributes to strengthening the country’s food security and export potential.

As part of the exhibition’s event programme of InterFood Azerbaijan, the traditional Gold Shah 2025 - National Culinary Championship will be held with the support of the organisers. This will be the fifth edition of the championship, organised by the Azerbaijan Culinary Specialists Association. This year, the championship will be dedicated to "Halal Food" and will take place in Hall 3 of the Baku Expo Centre.

The Gold Shah Championship is a licensed event by the World Association of Chefs' Societies ("Worldchefs") and is conducted in accordance with international standards and regulations. Since 2024, the championship has been authorised to host international teams and has been granted the status of a Worldchefs Continental Championship. The Worldchefs-licensed competition will attract eight teams from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, more than 30 local teams will compete, with over 300 individual chefs participating across more than 10 categories. The judging panel will consist of licensed chef-judges from Worldchefs, representing 16 different countries.

As part of the exhibitions, the traditional bilateral business meetings (B2B and B2G) will provide an opportunity for representatives of local and international companies to discuss cooperation and potential partnerships in a face-to-face format. Additionally, within the framework of these bilateral meetings, representatives of private companies will have the chance to meet with officials from government institutions.

As one of the most important platforms in the agricultural and food industry sectors, the Caspian Agro and InterFood Azerbaijan exhibitions will provide an opportunity to establish direct connections with the region's key producers and distributors. Companies will have the chance to showcase their products and services to potential customers and partners, while participants will be able to explore the latest technologies and trends in the relevant industries.

Most importantly, these events will contribute to the development of Azerbaijan’s agricultural and food industries by enhancing the country’s export potential, attracting foreign investments, and serving as a favourable platform for ensuring food security and implementing innovative solutions.

Baku Energy Week

The spring exhibition season will continue with the 30th Anniversary Baku Energy Week, one of the most significant events in the energy sector, taking place from June 2-4 at the Baku Expo Center.

The opening ceremony of the event is attended by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. On June 4, 2024, during the opening ceremony of Baku Energy Week at the Baku Expo Center, the head of state delivered a speech emphasizing the role of this event in attracting foreign investments to the country.

One of the key factors confirming the international significance of this event is the long-standing tradition of receiving welcome letters from the Presidents of the United States and Türkiye, as well as the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, addressed to the participants of Baku Energy Week.

The Baku Energy Week are supported by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) acting as the main partner.

Baku Energy Week is a highly important event for industry leaders and innovators. It serves as an effective platform where the region’s leading figures and key global players in the energy sector come together to discuss crucial issues and make significant decisions.

Last year, Baku Energy Week hosted nearly 300 companies from 37 countries, with 15% participating for the first time. With over 100 bilateral meetings and approximately 7,000 professional visitors, the event underscored its status as a leading platform for networking and collaboration.

Last year, Baku Energy Week was attended by nearly 7,000 visitors and brought together around 300 companies from 36 countries. Within the framework of the event, more than 100 bilateral B2B and B2G business meetings were held. Preparations for the 30th anniversary edition of Baku Energy Week are currently in full swing. Companies representing Azerbaijan, China, France, Georgia, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uzbekistan have already confirmed their participation in the event.

Baku Energy Week will further strengthen its status as a key platform for discussions on energy transition. Covering topics from traditional energy sources to green energy innovations, this event contributes to Azerbaijan’s role in advancing energy security and environmental sustainability.

Traditionally, bilateral business meetings (B2B, B2G) will be held as part of Baku Energy Week. Here, representatives of local and international companies will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face to discuss cooperation and potential partnerships.

Additionally, the anniversary event will feature a rich event programme. The foyer of the Baku Expo Centre will showcase a startup zone called “Smart Energy Hub” and an installation area titled “Where Energy Meets Art.” Furthermore, various engaging activities will be organised to capture the attention of participants and visitors.

Baku Energy Forum

On June 3 and 4, the Baku Energy Forum, the key event of Baku Energy Week, will take place at the Baku Convention Center. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Forum brings together the main participants of Baku Energy Week, leading global experts, representatives of government institutions and the private sector, investors, and business professionals for a strategic dialogue.

The Forum serves as a platform where the future agenda of the energy industry is shaped, strategic initiatives are discussed, and key development trends are explored. This year, the main topics of the Baku Energy Forum include the development of a sustainable energy industry, the digitalisation of the energy sector, the acceleration of green energy projects, and the exploration of innovative solutions for decarbonisation. These discussions will play a crucial role in guiding the transformation of the global energy sector and shaping its future.

This event, which initiates successful collaborations, attracts a large number of sponsors. Currently, the sponsors of Baku Energy Week include ABB, Azfen, Baku Steel Company, bp, GAP İnşaat, Inpex, Kolin İnşaat, MOL Group, MVM, NewMed Energy, SLB, Tekfen İnşaat ve Tesisat, Total Energies and Türkiye Petrolleri AO. Boston Consulting Group is an intellectual partner of this event. Consulting partner of the Baku Energy Week is Deloitte.

TransLogistica Caspian

In response to rapidly changing global trade routes and growing transport challenges, Azerbaijan is increasingly positioning itself as a key transport hub in Eurasia. During a recent meeting on transport issues, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the importance of addressing infrastructure development and optimizing transit routes. In this context, international industry exhibitions have taken on even greater significance.

The 22nd Caspian International Transport, Transit, and Logistics Exhibition – TransLogistica Caspian – will be held from June 2 to 4, 2025, at the Baku Expo Center. This event provides an essential platform for discussing and showcasing modern solutions in the transport sector. Over the years, it has become one of the leading events in logistics and transport, attracting professionals from across the Eurasian region.

Amid the global transformation of logistics routes and increasing competition, participating in TransLogistica Caspian is a crucial step for companies looking to stay ahead of industry trends. The exhibition offers opportunities for collaboration, facilitates integration into international transport corridors, and provides unique avenues for business development under initiatives such as the “Middle Corridor”, TRACECA, and the “Belt and Road Initiative”.

The TransLogistica Caspian exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, The Small and Medium Business (SMB) Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan – AZPROMO, the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASK), Permanent Secretariat of The Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA, and Azerbaijan Exhibition Organisers Association (ASTA). The exhibition’s gold sponsor is the company “Railgo.”

The official partners of the events to be held in 2025 will include AzExpoMontage LLC, Caspian Freight Services, Atəşgah Insurance, Hyatt Regency Baku, Ibis Baku City, Radisson Hotel Baku, Gloria Flowers, and Greenwich Travel Club.